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Transcript
Tree Identification What is a tree? Woody plant Usually one main stem Exceeds 15 feet in height and 3 inches in diameter at maturity. Tree Growth Growth occurs only from meristem tissue (cambium, stem and root tips). Early (spring) wood is light and softer. Late (summer) wood is dark and denser. 1 light + 1 dark ring = 1 year’s growth Tree Trunk Anatomy * Diagram not to scale Bark Sapwood (newer xylem) Heartwood (older xylem) Pith Vascular cambium Phloem Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Gymnosperms are a taxonomic class that includes plants whose seeds are not enclosed in an ovule (like a pine cone). Gymnosperm means "naked seed". This group is often referred to as softwoods. Gymnosperms usually have needles that stay green throughout the year. – pines, cedars, spruces and firs. Some gymnosperms do drop their leaves – ginkgo, dawn redwood, and bald cypress, to name a few. Angiosperm Angiosperms are a taxonomic class of plants in which the mature seed is surrounded by the ovule (think of an apple). Often referred to as hardwoods. Angiosperms have broad leaves that usually change color and die every autumn. – Oaks, maples and dogwoods are examples of deciduous trees. Some angiosperms hold their leaves – rhododendron, live oak, and sweetbay magnolia. Tree Identification Features Leaves Bark Twigs Reproductive Parts Overall Form Growing Site Leaf Characteristics Angiosperm or Gymnosperm? Arrangement on stem Simple or compound? Pinnate or palmate leaflets or veins Margins Base and tip features Special characteristics (smell, texture, stipules, glands, etc.) Leaf Parts Veins (pinnate) Blade Petiole Edge/Margin Leaf Arrangement Alternate Opposite Venation Pinnate – One main vein starting at the petiole, with smaller ones branching off. Palmate – Several main veins starting at the petiole, with smaller ones branching off. Simple vs. Compound Simple – leaf has one part Compound – one leaf has multiple parts (leaflets) Compound Leaves Pinnate Bipinnate Palmate Compound Leaves Pinnately compound Bipinnately compound Palmately compound Leaf Margins What Type of Margin? Serrated (toothed) Entire Doubly Serrated Lobes Sinus Lobe Leaf Bases acute rounded oblique cordate auriculate Leaf Tips acuminate obcordate acute obtuse cuspidate Needles Needles cont. Rounded scale-like Flattened scale-like Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Bark Characteristics Terminology is somewhat subjective. Descriptive terms may include: smooth, scaly, ridged, furrowed, fissured, platy, blocky, netted, and more! Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Characteristics? Twig Characteristics Leaf scar, w/ bundle scars Lenticels (the tiny dots) Pith Lateral bud Terminal bud Twigs Flowers Fruits Tree Form • Pyramidal • Oval • Palm • Irregular • Columnar • Round • Vase • Multi-trunk Growing Sites Swamps Moist Bottomland hardwoods Pine savannahs Upland hardwoods Dry Tools to Aid in Identification Your senses – sight, touch, smell Dichotomous keys and field guides Hand lens – details matter! Optional: sharp knife or pruners And… Practice, practice, practice!
