1. Mr. Kolodji Environmental Studies
Tree Identification
Mr. Kolodji
Environmental Studies

2. Dendrology ‘Dendro-’ from the Greek word meaning tree
‘-ology’ meaning the study of
Dendrology is the study of trees and includes taxonomy, identification, silivical characteristics, ranges, morphology, and ecology

3. What makes a tree a tree? Heights at least 4.5 meters (about 15 feet)
Single dominant woody stem (trunk or bole)
Capable of diameter growth
Perennial plant (present at all seasons of the year)

4. What makes a shrub a shrub?
Heights under 4.5 meters (less than 15 feet)
Multi-stemmed
Capable of diameter growth
Perennial plant

5. Tree Identification
By observing leaves

6. How many different trees or leaves can you identify?

7. Does it help to look through many leaves and find one that matches or is there a better way?

9. Conifers vs. Deciduous
Which is Which?

10. Exceptions
Larch trees have cones and needles, but lose their leaves each year.
Yew trees have needle shaped leaves and are evergreen but have berries not cones.
Holly trees have broad flat leaves and it is evergreen.

11. Conifer leaves
Scale like
Needle like

12. Conifer needles
Clusters
Singles

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

14. Leaf Arrangement
alternate opposite whorl

15. Leaf Type Simple vs. Compound
Sweet gum and ash

16. Simple or Compound?

17. What is the leaf type?

18. Leaf Edge Lobed , smooth, toothed?

19. Leaf Texture

20. Leaf Shape

21. Bark
Color
Texture
Furrows
Age
Thorns

22. Twig clues
Leaf scars aka buds are the places where the leaves used to be attached
Size color and shape of buds also useful to ID trees

23. Flower clues
Shape
Color
Texture
Size

24. Fruits & Seeds

25. Cones

26. Overall shape

27. Scientific names Two part name (binomial nomenclature)
Made up of the genus and the species names
Written in italics because it’s Latin.
Example: Pinus strobus