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Cucumbertree identification: leaves, bark, fruit and twigs
Cucumbertree, Magnolia acuminata, is a native tree in Pennsylvania. How to recognize it by its leaves, bark, fruit and twigs, and how to tell it from look-alikes.
Alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges. Large smooth-edged leaves 6 to 10 inches long with a pointed tip, whitish underneath. Bark: Soft, flaky light gray-brown bark you can dent with a thumbnail; reddish brown underneath. Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
How to identify cucumbertree
| Leaf type | Alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Large smooth-edged leaves 6 to 10 inches long with a pointed tip, whitish underneath. |
| Bark | Soft, flaky light gray-brown bark you can dent with a thumbnail; reddish brown underneath. |
| Fruit | Cucumber-like cones 2 to 3 inches long, green, then red, then dark brown. |
| Twigs | Red-brown twigs with a big, silky white end bud. |
| Size and shape | Straight trunk and rounded crown; up to about 80 feet. Greenish-yellow flowers high in the tree in late spring. |
From the Virginia Tech Dendrology fact sheet, in our own words.
Is cucumbertree native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists cucumbertree as native to Pennsylvania.
See all 140 trees, with a 4-question identifier, in our Pennsylvania tree identification guide.
Trees that look like cucumbertree
| Tree | Its leaves |
|---|---|
| Pawpaw Asimina triloba | Alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges. Large, smooth-edged leaves 5 to 11 inches long, wider near the tip, that smell like green pepper when crushed. |
| Umbrella magnolia Magnolia tripetala | Alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges. Huge leaves 12 to 24 inches long with no ear-lobes at the base, crowded at the twig tips like the ribs of an umbrella. |
| Fraser magnolia Magnolia fraseri | Alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges. Big leaves 8 to 12 inches long with two small “ear-lobes” at the base, widest near the middle, crowded at the twig ends. |
Compare the leaves first, then the bark, fruit and twigs on each tree’s page.
Other magnolias in Pennsylvania
Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana).
Questions
How do you identify cucumbertree?
Look for alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges. Large smooth-edged leaves 6 to 10 inches long with a pointed tip, whitish underneath. Bark: Soft, flaky light gray-brown bark you can dent with a thumbnail; reddish brown underneath.
Is cucumbertree native to Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) lists cucumbertree as native to Pennsylvania.
How big does cucumbertree get?
Straight trunk and rounded crown; up to about 80 feet.
How can you tell cucumbertree in winter?
Check the twigs and bark. Twigs: Red-brown twigs with a big, silky white end bud. Bark: Soft, flaky light gray-brown bark you can dent with a thumbnail; reddish brown underneath.
What tree looks like cucumbertree?
Pawpaw, Umbrella magnolia, Fraser magnolia. Compare the leaves first.
Sources: Virginia Tech Dendrology (Magnolia acuminata fact sheet); Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PA Vascular Plant List (native or introduced status). Checked Nov. 14, 2026.
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