Branches appear layered, especially with age. Black locust may develop a straight stem with a very small crown. May form thickets by root suckering. Open grown trees become oval in shape. Sycamore is a very massive tree with heavy, spreading branches with obviously zigzag twigs.
Tops are often white due to peeling bark.
Virginia pine is a small to medium-sized tree, usually of somewhat poor form. Eventually develops a flat top. Dead branches self-prune poorly.