tree identification 101 - isa texas...
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Tree Identification 101
Pete SmithTexas Big Tree Registry CoordinatorTexas Forest ServiceCollege Station, [email protected]‐458‐6650
Benny Simpson (1988): “having a single trunk or multiple trunks, growing to 12 feet or more in height, and being definitely woody.”
Merriam‐Webster Online: “a woody perennial plant having a single usually elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part.”
Tree Identification 101What is a tree?
Elbert Little, Jr. (1979): “a woody plant having one erect perennial stem or trunk at least three inches in diameter at breast height, a more or less definitely formed crown of foliage, and a height of at least 13 feet.”
Impressive size:
• Tallest living thing (379 feet) is a coast redwood
• ‘General Sherman’ giant sequoia has trunk volume of over 52,000 ft.3
Useful:
• Fuel, shelter, agriculture,…, art, culture
Tree Identification 101Why are trees important to us?
Long‐lived:
• African baobab may reach 6,000 years
• Bristlecone pine rings show 4,844 years
United States:
• 826 species recognized by American Forests’National Register of Big Trees (2008)
• USDA’s Checklist of U.S. Trees (1979) includes 679 native and 69 naturalized species (748)
Texas: 319 species recognized in Texas Big Tree Registry
Tree Identification 101How many are there?
Worldwide: as many as 100,000, which may represent up to 25% of all plants
Geography: the natural range of a species
Genetics: new information on ‘relatedness’ of organisms
Tree Identification 101How do we tell them apart?
Morphology: the form, structure and configuration of an organism
Plant Taxonomy: a branch of science that describes, classifies, and names plants.
Plant Classification
KingdomPhylum (or Division)
ClassOrder
FamilyGenus
species
Mnemonic device: King Phillip came over from greater Spain
Plant Classification
Binomial System of Nomenclature
“live oak”
=
Quercus virginiana
or
Quercus virginiana
• Gymnosperms – conifers
• Angiosperms – flowering plants– Monocots – grassy plants
– Dicots – broadleaf plants
Plant Classification
Plant Classification
Kingdom – Plantae (“plants”)
Phylum (or Division) – Magnoliophyta (“flowering plants”)
Class – Magnoliopsida (“dicots”)
Order – Fagales
Family – Fagaceae
Genus – Quercus (“oaks”)
species – virginiana (“live oak”)
Example: “live oak”
Principles of Identification
• Differences based on:– reproductive structures (cones, flowers or fruit)
– habitat/range
– tree form
– twigs, buds– bark, wood
– leaves
Principles of Identification
• Differences based on:– reproductive structures (cones, flowers or fruit)
– habitat/range
– tree form
– twigs, buds– bark, wood
– leaves
Principles of Identification
• Differences based on:– reproductive structures (cones, flowers or fruit)
– habitat/range
– tree form
– twigs, buds– bark, wood
– leaves
Principles of Identification
• Differences based on:– reproductive structures (cones, flowers or fruit)
– habitat/range
– tree form
– twigs, buds– bark, wood
– leaves
Principles of Identification
• Differences based on:– reproductive structures (cones, flowers or fruit)
– habitat/range
– tree form
– twigs, buds– bark, wood
– leaves
Principles of Identification
• Differences based on:– reproductive structures (cones, flowers or fruit)
– habitat/range
– tree form
– twigs, buds– bark, wood
– leaves
Leaves that are verylarge, and fan‐shaped
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that areneedle‐like
Leaves that arefeather‐like
Leaves that arescale‐like or awl‐like
Leaves that arecompound, alternate
Leaves that aresimple, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, opposite
Leaves that areevergreen; male flowerclusters are 6‐12” long
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that aredeciduous; male flowerclusters are <6” long
1) Leaves that are feather‐like, AND…
baldcypressTaxodium distichum
Secondary Name(s): bald cypress
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Leaves Trunk Cones
Leaves that are verylarge, and fan‐shaped
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that areneedle‐like
Leaves that arefeather‐like
Leaves that arescale‐like or awl‐like
Leaves that arecompound, alternate
Leaves that aresimple, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, opposite
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Foliage bluish‐gray;fruit is a woody cone
1) Leaves that are scale‐like or awl‐like, AND…
Foliage green; fruit isa berry‐like cone
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
is found inEast Texas
1) Leaves that are scale‐like or awl‐like, AND…2) Foliage green; fruit is a berry‐like cone, AND…
is found inWest Texas
is found in Central Texas& Edwards Plateau
Ashe juniperJuniperus ashei
Secondary Name(s): mountain cedar
Leaf type: evergreen
Texas Native: yes
Leaves and conesTrunk and bark
Leaves that are verylarge, and fan‐shaped
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that areneedle‐like
Leaves that arefeather‐like
Leaves that arescale‐like or awl‐like
Leaves that arecompound, alternate
Leaves that aresimple, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, opposite
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaflets arrangedpalmately
1) Leaves that are compound, oppositely attached to twig, AND…
Leaflets arrangedpinnately
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, oppositely attached to twig, AND…
2) Leaflets that are arranged pinnately, AND…
Leaflets 7‐9Leaflets 5(sometimes 7)
Leaflets 3 (sometimes 5), with coarse teeth
boxelderAcer negundo
Secondary Name(s): ash‐leaf maple
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
TwigFruit
Leaves that are verylarge, and fan‐shaped
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that areneedle‐like
Leaves that arefeather‐like
Leaves that arescale‐like or awl‐like
Leaves that aresimple, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, opposite
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are double‐compound (4 or more pinnae)
Leaves arebi‐pinnate (just 2 sets of pinnae)
Leaves areonce‐compound
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
2) Leaves that are once‐compound, AND…
Leaves with 3 leaflets only
(DON’T TOUCH)
Leaves with aneven numberof leaflets
Leaves with5‐9 leaflets
Leaves with 11or more leaflets
Leaflets alternatealong the rachis
western soapberrySapindus saponaria var. drummondii
Secondary Name(s): wild china, jaboncillo
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Fruit Bark
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
2) Leaves that are once‐compound, AND…
Leaves with 3 leaflets only
(DON’T TOUCH)
Leaves with aneven numberof leaflets
Leaves with5‐9 leaflets
Leaflets alternatealong the rachis
Leaves with 11or more leaflets
1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are once‐compound, AND…
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Twigs have a pairof short spines at leaf base
Branches and twigswith long thorns
3) Leaves with 11 or more leaflets, AND…
Branches, twigs, and leaves w/o prickles or thorns
1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are once‐compound, AND…
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaflet marginsbluntly‐toothed(crenate‐serrate)
Leaflet marginswithout teeth
3) Leaves with 11 or more leaflets, AND…4) Branches, twigs, and leaves w/o prickles or thorns, AND…
Leaflets finely‐toothed; largest ones in middle
Leaflets finely‐toothed; largest ones at leaf end
1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are once‐compound, AND…
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaflets 7‐13, less than 1” wide; nut flattened; wet areas in East Texas
3) Leaves with 11 or more leaflets, AND…4) Branches, twigs, and leaves w/o prickles or thorns, AND…
5) Leaflets finely‐toothed; largest ones at leaf end:
Leaflets 9‐17, 1‐2” wide;found statewide
pecanCarya illinoinensis
Secondary Name(s):
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Leaves Twig Flower Fruit
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are double‐compound (4 or more pinnae)
Leaves areonce‐compound
Leaves arebi‐pinnate (just 2 sets of pinnae)
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
2) Leaves that are bi‐pinnate (just two sets of pinnae), AND…
Leaflets oval,fruit is a coiled
pod
Leaves long, narrow,with many tiny
leaflets
Leaflets 10‐20,linear ,up to 2”long by ¼” wide
honey mesquite
Secondary Name(s): mesquite
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Bipinnate leaf Fruit & Flowers
Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa
Leaves that are verylarge, and fan‐shaped
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that areneedle‐like
Leaves that arefeather‐like
Leaves that arescale‐like or awl‐like
Leaves that aresimple, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, opposite
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are simple, oppositely attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are oval, round, or elliptical
Leaves areheart‐shaped
Leaves are lobed
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
2) Leaves that are lobed, AND…
Leaf edge smooth Leaf edge withteeth
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are compound, alternately attached to twig, AND…
2) Leaves that are lobed, AND…
Sinuses between the3‐5 lobes are shallow,
angular
3) Leaf edge with fine teeth, AND…
Sinuses between the5‐7 lobes are deep,
acute
Sinuses between the3‐5 lobes are deep,
rounded
silver mapleAcer saccharinum
Secondary Name(s):
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: no
Leaves Twig Fruit
Leaves that are verylarge, and fan‐shaped
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves that areneedle‐like
Leaves that arefeather‐like
Leaves that arescale‐like or awl‐like
Leaves that arecompound, alternate
Leaves that arecompound, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, opposite
Leaves that aresimple, alternate
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are oval, round, or elliptical
Leaves arefan‐shaped
Leaves are star‐shaped
Leaves are heart‐shaped (cordate)
Leaves arepalmately lobed
Leaves arepinnately lobed
Leaves are ovate (wider at bottom than top)
Leaves are obovate(wider at top than bottom)
Leaves arelinear or lanceolate
Leaves aretriangular (deltoid)
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are triangular (deltoid), AND…
Leaf edge smooth;leaf base wedge‐shaped
Leaf edge coarsely‐toothed (dentate)
eastern cottonwoodPopulus deltoides ssp. deltoides
Secondary Name(s):
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Leaf Twig & Buds Flowers
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are oval, round, or elliptical
Leaves arefan‐shaped
Leaves are star‐shaped
Leaves are heart‐shaped (cordate)
Leaves arepinnately lobed
Leaves are ovate (wider at bottom than top)
Leaves are obovate(wider at top than bottom)
Leaves arelinear or lanceolate
Leaves aretriangular (deltoid)
Leaves arepalmately lobed
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are palmately lobed, AND…
Leaves with justone or two lobes (mitten‐shaped)
Leaves large; leafedge with several
large teeth
American sycamorePlatanus occidentalis
Secondary Name(s): American planetree, buttonwood
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
LeafBark Fruit
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are oval, round, or elliptical
Leaves arefan‐shaped
Leaves are star‐shaped
Leaves are heart‐shaped (cordate)
Leaves are ovate (wider at bottom than top)
Leaves are obovate(wider at top than bottom)
Leaves arelinear or lanceolate
Leaves aretriangular (deltoid)
Leaves arepalmately lobed
Leaves arepinnately lobed
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are pinnately lobed, AND…
Lobes bristle‐tipped
Lobes shallow,indistinct, or irregular
Lobes withoutbristle tips
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are pinnately lobed, AND…
Leaves less than6” long
3) Lobes without bristle‐tips, AND…
Leaves 6” longor more
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are pinnately lobed, AND…
Leaves with regularlobes, sinuses often
deep
3) Lobes without bristle‐tips, AND…4) Leaves 6” long or more, AND…
Top third of leafroughly‐toothed;
acorn large
bur oakQuercus macrocarpa
Secondary Name(s): mossycup oak
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Leaf FlowersFruit
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves are oval, round, or elliptical
Leaves arefan‐shaped
Leaves are star‐shaped
Leaves are heart‐shaped (cordate)
Leaves are ovate (wider at bottom than top)
Leaves are obovate(wider at top than bottom)
Leaves aretriangular (deltoid)
Leaves arelinear or lanceolate
Leaves arepalmately lobed
Leaves arepinnately lobed
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are linear or lanceolate, AND…
Leaves arebristle‐tipped
Leaves are <0.5” wide,leaf edge smooth
Leaf edge isfinely‐toothed
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…
Leaves arefan‐shaped
Leaves are oval, round, or elliptical
Leaves are star‐shaped
Leaves are heart‐shaped (cordate)
Leaves are ovate (wider at bottom than top)
Leaves are obovate(wider at top than bottom)
Leaves aretriangular (deltoid)
Leaves arelinear or lanceolate
Leaves arepalmately lobed
Leaves arepinnately lobed
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
Leaf edge iscoarsely‐toothed
Leaf edge is bluntly‐or remotely‐toothed
Leaf edgeis spiny
Leaf edge isfinely‐toothed
(serrate)
Leaf edge isdouble‐toothed
Leaf edge iswithout teeth
(entire)
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
3) Leaf edge is double‐toothed, AND…
Leaf base isstrongly lopsided
Leaf base is roundedor wedge‐shaped
American elmUlmus americana
Secondary Name(s): white elm
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
TwigLeaf Bark
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
Leaf edge iscoarsely‐toothed
Leaf edge is bluntly‐or remotely‐toothed
Leaf edgeis spiny
Leaf edge isdouble‐toothed
Leaf edge isfinely‐toothed
(serrate)
Leaf edge iswithout teeth
(entire)
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
3) Leaf edge is finely‐toothed, AND…
Leaf upper surfaceis smooth, glossy
Leaf upper surfaceis smooth, dull
Leaf upper surface istextured; prominent
veins below
Leaf upper surface isrough, like sandpaper
cedar elmUlmus crassifolia
Secondary Name(s): Texas elm
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: yes
Leaves FruitTwig
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
Leaf edge iscoarsely‐toothed
Leaf edge is bluntly‐or remotely‐toothed
Leaf edgeis spiny
Leaf edge isdouble‐toothed
Leaf edge isfinely‐toothed
(serrate)
Leaf edge iswithout teeth
(entire)
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
3) Leaf edge is without teeth (entire), AND…
Leaves that are 6‐8”long,evergreen, leathery
Leaves thatare<6” long
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
3) Leaf edge is without teeth (entire), AND…4) Leaves that are <6” long, AND…
Leaves that aresemi‐evergreen; topsurface is very rough
Leaves that aredeciduous, thin
Leaves that areevergreen, leathery
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Leaves give offfragrant odorwhen crushed
3) Leaf edge is without teeth (entire), AND…4) Leaves that are <6” long, AND…
5) Leaves that are evergreen, leathery:
Large, spreading tree;fruit is an acorn
Dark red bark peels awayto reveal smooth, cream‐colored bark beneath
live oakQuercus virginiana
Secondary Name(s): coast live oak
Leaf type: evergreen
Texas Native: yes
Leaves FruitForm
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
Leaves that areevergreen, leathery
3) Leaf edge is without teeth (entire), AND…4) Leaves that are <6” long, AND…
Leaves that aresemi‐evergreen; topsurface is very rough
Leaves that aredeciduous, thin
1) Leaves that are simple, alternately attached to twig, AND…2) Leaves that are oval, round, or elliptical, AND…
Leaf Key for Texas TreesMy tree has…
Small tree or shrub;veins parallel
3) Leaf edge is without teeth (entire), AND…4) Leaves that are <6” long, AND…
5) Leaves that are deciduous and thin:
Branching is oftenstrongly horizontal;
bark is blocky
Ornamental tree or shrubwith gray, peeling bark;often multi‐trunked
crapemyrtleLagerstroemia indicans
Secondary Name(s): crepemyrtle, crape myrtle
Leaf type: deciduous
Texas Native: no
FlowersLeaf Multi‐trunk Form
Other Resources
• Websites:http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/idit.htmhttp://www.oplin.org/tree/
• Books:Forest Trees of Texas: how to know them, Texas Forest Service
A Field Guide to Texas Trees, Benny Simpson
Texas Trees: a friendly guide, Paul Cox & Patty Leslie
Trees, Shrubs, & Woody Vines of the Southwest, Robert Vines
Trees & Shrubs of the Trans‐Pecos, Michael Powell