Introduction to Tree Identification NeighborWoods 2014 Jean Akers, RLA, AICP Conservation Technix Senior Associate Tree Classification: What’s in a Name? Latin is the “universal” language in Plant Kingdom taxonomy Flowering Other 9 divisions for Ginkgo Conifers plants “Naked seeds” “covered algae, moss, seeds” ferns, etc. Division Class Order Family Genus Species The Big Picture… • Identify trees by more than one characteristic – do not rely only on leaves! • Practice terminology • Use a field guide and dichotomous key, when feasible • Find the “key characteristics” Key Characteristics: Growth Form (Habit) Bark Leaves Buds Twigs Flowers Fruits or Cone Also: touch, taste, smell, sound. Growth Form Quercus garryana, Oregon white oak Quercus palustris, Pin oak Growth Form Ulmus americana, GrowthAmerican Form elm Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweetgum Bark Betula papyrifera, Paperbark birch Bark Platanus occidentalis, Sycamore Bark Thuja plicata, Western red cedar Bark Pinus sylvestris, Scotch pine Leaves Broadleaf Scale-like Needle-like Acer circinatum, Vine maple Simple Leaves Tilia americana, Linden Quercus rubra, Red oak Compound Pinnately compound: Leaves Fraxinus pennsylvatica, Green ash Palmately compound: Aesculus hippocastanum, Horsechestnut Leaf Arrangement Alternate Opposite Leaf Shape Linear Elliptical Deltoid Orbicular Leaf Margin Serrate Lobed Entire Needle-like Leaves Pines - in fascicles Fir Spruce Buds and twigs Alnus rubra, Red alder Oaks – clustered end buds Aesculus glabra, Ohio buckeye Buds Rhamnus purshiana, Cascara scaly naked Bud scars White ash v. Green ash – note leaf scar shape Flowers Acer saccharinum, Silver maple Fraxinus latifolia, Oregon ash Flowers Albizia julibrissin, Silk tree Cornus nuttalli, Pacific dogwood Magnolia x soulangia, Saucer magnolia Quercus macrocarpa, Bur oak Fruit - Nuts Castanea dentata, American chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum, Horsechestnut Fruit – Winged Seeds Ulmus americana, American elm Acer rubrum, Red maple Fraxinus ornus, Flowering ash Abies concolor, White fir Psuedotsuga menziesii, Douglas-fir Cones Picea pungens, Pinus aristata, Colorado blue spruce Bristlecone pine Remember the Big Picture… • Identify trees by more than one characteristic – do not rely only on leaves! • Practice terminology • Use a field guide and dichotomous key, when feasible • Find the “key characteristics” The whole picture… Draw and sketch to train your power of observation… - in the field - with real samples Remember to have fun! NeighborWoods 2014 .