The Short, Short Course on Tree Identification

1
The Short, Short Course on Tree Identification

• Doug McLaren
• University of Kentucky
• Cooperative Extension Service
• Department of Forestry

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
2
With so many species of trees
How do we learn how to identify each of them for
our needs?
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
3
Let us start with something we are familiar with
Characteristics
Something that distinguishes or identifies an
individual
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
4
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
5
Season of the year!
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
6
Leaves on - Method
Broadleaf
Conifer
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
7
Conifers
Flattened
Needles per bundle (2 3 5)
Cedar
White pine (5)
Pitch pine (3)
Virginia pine (2)
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
8
Broadleaf
Arrangement of leaves and buds
Alternate branching
Opposite branching
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
9
Form of the leaf
Compound
Simple
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
10
Margins
Entire (or unlobed)
Serrated
Lobed
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
11
Conifer or broadleaf?
TEST TIME! (1)
Opposite or alternate?
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
12
Simple or Compound?
TEST TIME! (2)
Alternate or Opposite?
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
13
Margins!
TEST TIME! (3)
Serrated or Lobed?
Entire or Lobed?
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
14
In the process of identifying trees, there is a
logical sequence to identify the correct tree
The instrument that is used to select the
correct tree is a dichotomous key .
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
15
What is a dichotomous key?
A process in which to identify an organism based
on a series of choices two choices at a time!
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
16
Example!
of a dichotomous key for tree identification

• Does the tree have LEAVES if so, GO TO B
• A. Does the tree have NEEDLES if so, GO TO C

B. Is the branching pattern OPPOSITE if so GO
TO D B. Is the branching pattern ALTERNATE if
so GO TO E
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
17
Dichotomous tree finder
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
18
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
19
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
20
Where does it grow?
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
21
Dichotomous Tree Finder
An abbreviated example
A. Does the tree have NEEDLESGo To D A.
Does the tree have LEAVESGo To B
B. Are the leaves SIMPLEGo To C B. Are the
leaves COMPOUNDGo To C
C. Is the branching OPPOSITEGo To E C. Is the
branching ALLTERNATEGo To F
D. Probably a conifer
E. Probably a maple or ash
F. Service berry
Amelanchier canadensis
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
22
Websites and Resource Lists
ukforestry.org (Staff - Doug McLaren)
Tree Finder by May Theilgarrd Watts
plants.usda.gov/index.html
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/treekey/
www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/idit.htm
tenn.bio.utk.edu/vascular/vascular.html
www.forestryimages.org/
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service
23
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension
Service