Download Lifecycle of Trees

Seedling
Seed
Sapling
Snag
Mature Oak
Like all living things trees have a life cycle:
 Birth
 Growth
 Aging
 Death
 Seeds come in a variety of shapes,
weights, colors, and sizes, depending on the
species.
 Some seeds are in a protective nut like an acorn
 Others are in fleshy fruits, like the black cherry.
 The fruit of a pine is a cone and the seed is winged
and resembles a miniature helicopter when falling.
 Wind, water, animals, and people spread seeds
to the forest floor, open fields, yards and
roadsides.
The seedling grows and
begins to develop woody
characteristics.
The stem may bend or
develop branches that
reach toward light.
Leaves lean or tilt toward
light.
When the tree is about 1-4
inches in diameter at 4.5
feet, it is considered a
sapling.
As the tree starts to get
taller the trunk thickens and
branches develop.
.
What does DBH mean?
With favorable conditions, a sapling will grow
into a mature tree (>4 inches DBH).
During this stage, each tree will grow as much
as its species and site conditions will permit.
In addition, flowers develop, reproduction
ensues, fruits form, and seed dispersal can
now occur.
Trees provide the maximum environmental
benefits to people during this stage.
What plant in the picture
would you say is a
mature tree?
What stage of the
lifecycle are these trees
in currently?
SEEDLING 
What stage of the
lifecycle are these trees
in currently?
SNAG 
What stage of the
lifecycle are these trees
in currently?
SAPLING 
Have you ever measured
anything? WHAT? HOW?
WHY?
Why do people measure
things?
In what ways do people
measure things?
How many finger lengths
is your book?
1. Use the length of your index finger to
measure the width of you textbook.
2. Use the length of your forearm to
measure the height of your desk. Why did people
get different
measurements?
Compare your index
finger with your
neighbors.
How can we make sure
our measurements are
accurate?
 What characteristics would you use to identify
trees? Look at the twigs on your desk for ideas.
 Look at several different features
 Leaves
 Bark
 Twigs
 Flowers
 Fruit
 Seeds
 Shape
How do you
think you
use a book
like this to
identify
trees?
 We have 2 types of trees:
 Conifers (Evergreens)
 seeds develop in cones, have needle shaped leaves
 don’t lose leaves each year so stay green = evergreens
 Deciduous) :
 broad, flat leaves that they lose each year
 Oaks, maples, beeches, Sycamores
What are the
shapes of these 3
leaves?
1
PALMATE!
HEART-SHAPED!
2
3
ROUND OR OVAL!
Edges or margins of leaves give clues to tree
identity
 Teeth (serrated)
 Lobed
 Smooth (toothless)
What type of leaf
margin do these
leaves have?
LOBED!
Identify with the color and texture
Shaggy, smooth , rough or deep furrows
Example: Paper Birch – white, paper-like
Use bark on trunk, not branches
Paper Birch