DENDROLOGY The study of trees and tree identification

DENDROLOGY The study of trees and tree identification.

Evergreen vs. Deciduous • Evergreen – Trees that do not lose all their leaves every year but go through a gradual replacement by dropping only their oldest leaves each year. These trees have leaves all year. • Deciduous – Trees that loose all of their leaves every year.

Broadleaf vs. Conifer • Broadleaf – A class of trees that have broad, flat leaves of many different shapes; most are deciduous; also called hardwood trees. • Conifer – A class of trees that are evergreen, have needle or scalelike foliage and conelike fruit.

Which Tree Is It? • 5 Clues to Narrow Your Choices – Habitat – Form – Bark – Branches and Twigs – Leaves, Flowers and Fruits

Habitat • Location (site and geographic) • Shade Tolerance • Position in the Forest Stratification

Form • The shape of the crown • Texture, color and shape of the bole

Bark • Color and texture Beech Loblolly Pine Shagbark Hickory

Branches and Twigs • Branching Pattern (Opposite vs. Alternate) • Buds • Leaf scars • Lenticels • Pith

Branching Pattern • Opposite – MAD Bucking Horse – Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Buck eye, and Horse chestnut • Alternate

Leaves, Flowers, Fruits • Leaves: – Leaf pattern, venation, shape, margin, texture – Simple vs. compound • Flowers: – Color, arrangement, shape, timing of bloom • Fruits: – Type, size, color, arrangement