Leaf ID NotesLeaf ID Notes

5.13.085.13.08

Sample #1Sample #1

Very common in AK (dominant tree in interior)

Needles exit twig singly Needles ~ 1/2” long Needles prickly

Burns well

Very common in AK (dominant tree in interior)

Needles exit twig singly Needles ~ 1/2” long Needles prickly

Burns well

#1 - White Spruce#1 - White Spruce

Sample #2Sample #2

Found where soils are wet or on permafrost

Grows very slowly Needles exit singly Needles very short

Burns extremely well - fast and hot

Found where soils are wet or on permafrost

Grows very slowly Needles exit singly Needles very short

Burns extremely well - fast and hot

#2 - Black Spruce#2 - Black Spruce

Sample #3Sample #3

Native to the interior of AK (not here) Needled, but deciduous Found in cold, wet soils or on

permafrost Needles exit in bundles of 10-12

Burn moderately well, not like spruce

Native to the interior of AK (not here) Needled, but deciduous Found in cold, wet soils or on

permafrost Needles exit in bundles of 10-12

Burn moderately well, not like spruce

#3 - Larch#3 - Larch

Sample #4Sample #4

Moose’s favorite food One of first to return after fire Leaf twice as long as wide Very short leafstalk Edges wavy Alternate leaf arrangement - exit

stalk left, right, left, etc.

Moose’s favorite food One of first to return after fire Leaf twice as long as wide Very short leafstalk Edges wavy Alternate leaf arrangement - exit

stalk left, right, left, etc.

#4 - Willow#4 - Willow

Sample #5Sample #5

Leaves almost round w/point on end

Leafstalks are flattened and long - (causes them to catch wind and shake)

Small, curved teeth on leaf margin Burns slowly - ground fire more

common

Leaves almost round w/point on end

Leafstalks are flattened and long - (causes them to catch wind and shake)

Small, curved teeth on leaf margin Burns slowly - ground fire more

common

#5 - Quaking Aspen#5 - Quaking Aspen

Sample #6Sample #6

Also one of first to return after fire Leaf stalks short Leaves dark green Edges have VERY sharp teeth

forming little peninsulas called LOBES

Also one of first to return after fire Leaf stalks short Leaves dark green Edges have VERY sharp teeth

forming little peninsulas called LOBES

#6 - Alder#6 - Alder

Sample #7Sample #7

Not native to Southcentral (native to SE), but introduced

Needles LONG Needles exit in bundles of 2-3 Very commonly planted here

Not native to Southcentral (native to SE), but introduced

Needles LONG Needles exit in bundles of 2-3 Very commonly planted here

#7 - Lodgepole Pine#7 - Lodgepole Pine

Sample #8Sample #8

Dominant deciduous tree in Southcentral AK

Leaf about 1.5x as long as it is wide

Small jagged teeth on leaf edge Shorter leafstalk than aspen

Burns slowly - ground fire common

Dominant deciduous tree in Southcentral AK

Leaf about 1.5x as long as it is wide

Small jagged teeth on leaf edge Shorter leafstalk than aspen

Burns slowly - ground fire common

#8 - Birch#8 - Birch

Sample #9Sample #9

Not native to AK, but introduced 3 lobes on leaf Each lobe VERY jagged Symbol on Canadian flag Very long leafstalk

Not native to AK, but introduced 3 lobes on leaf Each lobe VERY jagged Symbol on Canadian flag Very long leafstalk

#9 - Maple#9 - Maple

Sample #10Sample #10

One of tallest trees in Southcentral AK

VERY wet wood, almost never burns

Leave 2x long as wide Short leafstalk Very small teeth on leaf edge Causes terrible allergies for some

One of tallest trees in Southcentral AK

VERY wet wood, almost never burns

Leave 2x long as wide Short leafstalk Very small teeth on leaf edge Causes terrible allergies for some

#10 - Cottonwood#10 - Cottonwood