Tree Identification Powerpoint

ForestedThe definition of forested (land that is forested or has trees growing on it): to be classified as forested (forestland) the area must be at least one acre and contain at least 10% tree cover. Project Learning Tree

QuestionWhat percent (0-100) of New York State was forested in

1880 _________ percent1946 _________ percent1996 _________ percent

DendrologyDendro- from the Greek word meaning tree-ology meaning the study of Dendrology is the study of trees and includes taxonomy, identification, silivical characteristics, ranges, morphology, and ecology

Vocabulary Taxonomy is the study of the classification of living things. Morphology is the study of the shape, general appearance, or form of an organism. Silviculture is the care and cultivation of forest trees. Ecology is the study of the relationships between living and non-living things and their environment.

What makes a tree a tree?Heights at least 4.5 meters (about 15 feet)Single dominant woody stem (trunk or bole)Capable of diameter growthPerennial plant (present at all seasons of the year)

What makes a shrub a shrub?Heights under 4.5 meters (less than 15 feet)Multi-stemmedCapable of diameter growthPerennial plant

Tree IdentificationBy observing leaves

Conifers vs. Deciduous

Which is Which?

Characteristics of ConifersNeedle shaped leavesSeeds that develop inside conesEvergreen green year roundGymnosperm, conifer, softwoodExamples: pine, spruce, hemlock, fir

Examples of conifersBalsam firDouglas firFraser firScotch pineRed pineWhite pine

Conifer leavesNeedle likeScale like

Conifer needlesClusters Singles

Deciduous Tree CharacteristicsBroad flat leavesLose all leaves each year in the fallAngiosperm (flowering plants), broadleaf, hardwoodExamples: oak, maple, beech, aspen, ash

Deciduous examplesRed oakRed mapleBlack locustWhitebirchCrimson kingHoney locustbeechElm

ExceptionsLarch trees have cones and needles, but lose their leaves each year.Yew trees have needle shaped leaves and are evergreen but have berries not cones.Holly trees have broad flat leaves and it is evergreen.

Leaf characteristics-deciduousLeaf arrangement: whorl, alternate, oppositeLeaf type: simple or compoundLeaf edge: entire (smooth), lobed (projection), toothed (serrated)Leaf texture: hairy, waxy, rough, smooth, thick, thin, etc.Leaf shape: various

Leaf Arrangementalternate opposite whorl

Leaf TypeSimple vs. Compound

Simple CompoundOnly one leaf bladeJoined by its stalk to the woody stemExamples: maple, oak, aspen, beechMade up of several leafletsLeaflets are joined to a midrib that is not woodyExamples: ash, walnut, sumac

Simple or Compound?

What is the leaf type?

Leaf EdgeLobed , smooth, toothed?

Leaf Texture

Leaf Shape

More characteristics to ID treesBarkTwigsFlowersFruits/SeedsConesOverall shape

BarkColorTexture FurrowsAgeThorns

Twig cluesLeaf scars aka buds are the places where the leaves used to be attachedSize color and shape of buds also useful to ID trees

Flower cluesShapeColorTextureSize

Fruits & Seeds

Cones

Overall shape

Common ScientificUsed in day to day conversationUsually based on a characteristic or region of originSometimes named after the person who studied the speciesOften confusingEach species is uniquely identifiedMade up of two parts, the genus and speciesGroups similar individualsMore accurate

Scientific namesTwo part name binomial nomenclatureMade up of the genus and the speciesWritten in italicsExample: Pinus strobus

Leaf Observations

Can you identify this leaf?

This poster is meant to represent the fact that many different trees in many different places exist in this world.How many different trees or leaves can you identify?Does it help to look through many leaves and find one that matches or is there a better way?In the simplest sense there are two kinds of trees in the world.Sweet gum and ash