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

Loblolly Pine

Beech

Shagbark Hickory

Branches and Twigs

• Branching Pattern (Opposite vs. Alternate)

• Buds

• Leaf scars

• Lenticels

• Pith

Branching Pattern

• Opposite– MAD Bucking

Horse

– Maple, Ash, Dogwood,Buckeye, 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