“Adopt A Tree” Project Every tree is different! You will make observations and record data for your tree throughout the year and see how it changes

What makes a tree a tree? Heights at least 4.5 meters (about 15 feet) Single dominant woody stem or trunk Trunk is 9 1/2 inches in circumference (3 inches in diameter) Definitely formed crown of foliage Perennial plant

Abiotic Data Date: ____________ Time:__________ Air Temperature: ___________ Relative Humidity: ___________ Rockaway Weather, Current Conditions and Temperature Weather Conditions: ___________________________________ (sunny, cloudy, rain, etc.) Light Conditions:______________________________________ (amount of light your tree receives at this time of day) List other abiotic factors: _______________________________ (water, rocks, and sand)

Draw a Picture (Draw a detailed picture of your tree Draw a Picture (Draw a detailed picture of your tree. I should be able to pick your tree from the group just by your picture.) When drawing your tree, start with the trunk and add just a few leaves. You don’t need to draw each leaf!!

Biotic Data Tree Description: (Describe your tree in detail about 5-8 sentences. With this description, someone should be able to pick your tree out of the bunch.) List 5 Biotic Factors: (List all living things you see on and around your tree.) Leaf Description: Draw a picture of your leaf:

Draw a Site Map (Someone should be able to find your tree by looking at your map.) Draw major features on your map. Label your tree location Draw symbols for other plant life. Example: *Bushes +Large Trees ∆Small Trees

Poison Ivy Leaves of three, let it be!! Hairy vine, no friend of mine!! Raggy rope, don’t be a dope!! Berries white, run in fright

Poison Ivy

Be very careful!!

How should you behave when outside? Don’t harm trees, animals, or insects. Preserve the stone wall by walking around. The quieter you are the more you will see Stay Focused on assignment. You will be given a participation grade. Be prepared to share your findings with the class!

“Fall” for Leaves in Science!

Dendrology ‘Dendro-’ from the Greek word meaning tree ‘-ology’ meaning the study of Dendrology is the study of trees and includes taxonomy, identification, and ecology

Tree Identification By observing leaves

Classes of Trees Conifers (Evergreen) Deciduous Palms

Conifers vs. Deciduous In the simplest sense there are two kinds of trees in the world.

Which is Which?

Characteristics of Conifers Needle shaped leaves Seeds that develop inside cones Evergreen – green year round Gymnosperm (“Naked Seed”) or Cones Examples: pine, spruce, hemlock, fir

Examples of Conifers Balsam fir Red pine Douglas fir White pine Fraser fir Scotch pine

Conifer leaves Scale like Needle like

Conifer needles Clusters Singles

Deciduous Tree Characteristics Broad flat leaves Lose all leaves each year in the fall Angiosperm (flowering plants), broadleaf, hardwood Examples: oak, maple, beech, aspen, ash

Deciduous examples Red oak Elm Honey locust Red maple White birch beech Crimson king Black locust

Leaf characteristics-deciduous Leaf shape Leaf arrangement Leaf margin (edge) Leaf type

Leaf Shape

Oval, Elliptical, or Egg Shaped?? Ovoal: Considerably longer than wide with almost parallel sides Elliptical: wider at center and tapering to an equal size at each end. Egg shaped

How do you ID a tree? Examine leaf on tree-Pick one good example of leaf Determine leaf arrangement-Draw picture in journal Is the leaf simple or compound? Observe type of fruit on tree Use a dichotomous key to determine what type of tree it is!

Leaf Arrangement alternate opposite whorled

Leaf Node A leaf node is where the leaf is attached to the stem.  This way, a new set of leaves will grow from that area, which will make the tree fuller.

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What is this type of leaf arrangement?

What tree is it? Online Tree ID

Leaf Margin (Edge) Lobed , smooth, toothed (serrated)?

Serrate or Doubly Serrate? Write definitions below on Lab Smooth Wavy serrate — a leaf margin that has pointed teeth that are directed upward doubly serrate — a serrate leaf margin where the primary teeth support another set of teeth

Serrate or Doubly Serrate?

Serrate or Doubly Serrate?

Serrate or Doubly Serrate?

Serrate or Doubly Serrate?

Types of Leaves Simple: Has only one leaf per stem. Compound: Has more than one leaves per stem.

Simple Compound Only one leaflet Joined by its stalk to the woody stem Examples: maple, oak, aspen, beech Made up of several leaflets Leaflets are joined to a midrib that is not woody Examples: ash, walnut, sumac

Simple or Compound? Simple Leaves Compound Leaves

Leaf Observations Deciduous Conifer Leaf arrangement: Alternate, opposite, whorl Needles or scales Leaf type: Simple, compound Needle attachment: Single, clusters

Don’t Be Fooled!! A few plants will try to fool you by having opposite leaves in some places, and alternate leaves in others. So look at a few parts of the plant. Always examine many samples in nature, to get a good understanding of what ís going on.

Why do Deciduous Trees’ Leaves Change Color and Fall Off in Autumn? Click on the movie to the right to find out!!!

You Don’t Have to, You Get To!! Guess what??? Now you are ready to go on our leaf walk and start collecting our leaves for your own leaf collection. We have a lot of fun and don’t worry, we collect almost all of the leaves together!

How do I Put the Collection Together? Keep all of your leaves pressed for at least one full week. Take your leaf title pages you made in computers and carefully tape or gluestick your leaf to each page. Place your leaf pages in number order, either with a 3 hole punch or by sliding them back to back in the protector pockets. Create your own cover stating “Leaf Collection” and your first and last name. You may use the computer or you may use any craft materials to create a fancy look. Put the following pages in order to complete your notebook:

Please put your notebook in the following order: Table of Contents 28 leaf samples pressed and labeled Poems about Trees (neatly written, illustrated, and colored) Tree Outline Tree Terms Sheet Outline Test Leaf Identification Test

What do the Pages Look Like? Tree Terms Table of Contents Leaf Samples Tree Outline Outline Test Leaf ID Test

Good Luck, Have Fun and Be Creative!!