1. Teacher Quality Grant
“Enhancing Elementary Teachers' Content Knowledge of Ecosystems across Georgia”
Tree Identification

2. Ecosystems are identified by the dominant plants.
In Georgia, these are typically trees.
Appalachian Oak Forest
Hemlock
Forest
Pine-Oak-Hickory
Forest
Longleaf Pine
Forest
Live Oak
Forest
Cypress
Swamp
So, it is important to know the dominant trees (or be able to identify them)!

3. What is a tree?
A woody plant with a single main stem (trunk) and ≥ 20 ft (6 m) tall at maturity.
Shrubs are shorter and multi-stemmed.
Tree branches emanate from the main stem or trunk.
Note: students will often “gravitate” to shrubs because they are fairly large, yet their leaves are generally accessible.

4. Collecting and Preserving Plants for Identification
Fresh is best!
But, preserved (or pressed) specimen are good too!
Plant press:
• plant specimen (at least stem & leaves)
• blotting paper (or newspaper)
• corrugated cardboard ventilators
• 2 wooden press frames (top and bottom)
• compression straps
• After drying, store the specimen in relatively dry and insect-free environments.
• Place the press with specimen in a warm, well ventilated area (it is not a good idea to put presses in conventional ovens).

5. Collecting and Preserving Plants for Identification
Beware of potentially harmful plants!
Some have spines and thorns (not many trees)
Devil’s Walking Stick
Honey Locust
Some produce harmful toxins (not many trees)
Poison Ivy
Note: poison ivy is not a tree, but it grows on and around trees.

6. Identifying Unknown Plants
It is common for beginners to match the specimen to pictures in a guide.

7. Identifying Unknown Plants
It is better to learn to use an identification key. ?
Most keys are dichotomous keys:
a series of questions with “yes/no” answers or paired statements that progressively divides a group of species into smaller subsets until each subset consists of only one species.

8. Identifying Unknown Plants
It is better to learn to use an identification key.
Most keys are dichotomous keys:
a series of questions with “yes/no” answers or paired statements that progressively divides a group of species into smaller subsets until each subset consists of only one species.

9. Identifying Unknown Plants
It is better to learn to use an identification key.
Basic Guidelines:
1. Always read both choices.
2. Use magnification when necessary.
3. Base your conclusion on one more than one observation - develop an “average” based on several observations.
4. If a choice at a couplet is not clear, try both divisions
5. After arriving at an answer, check the description and validate if possible (guide, herbarium, internet, etc.).

10. Identifying Unknown Plants
It is better to learn to use an identification key.
Tips:
1. Remember that dichotomous keys are man made – there may be flaws in places.
2. Keying is a skill improved by practice.
3. Keying is usually slow and frustrating at first, but gets better as you become with phytography (plant description).

11. Leaf Phytography (used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
All leaves have an axillary bud between the stem and petiole.

12. Leaf Phytography
(used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
Leaf Types

13. Leaf Phytography (used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
Leaf Arrangement

14. Leaf Phytography
(used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
Leaf Shapes

15. Leaf Phytography (used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
Leaf Margins

16. Leaf Phytography (used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
Leaf Apices and Bases

17. Leaf Phytography (used heavily in “summer” taxonomic keys)
Leaf Venation

18. Stem (Twig) Phytography
(used heavily in “winter” taxonomic keys)

19. Stem (Twig) Phytography
(used heavily in “winter” taxonomic keys)

20. Stem (Twig) Phytography
(used heavily in “winter” taxonomic keys)

21. Stem (Twig) Phytography
(used heavily in “winter” taxonomic keys)

22. Application
For each specimen provided, fill out a leaf and stem phytographic worksheet as completely as possible.

23. Credits:
Hemlock Forest:
Oak-Pine-Hickory Forest:
Live Oak Forest:
Cypress Swamp:
Longleaf Pine Forest:
Appalachian Oak Forest:
Tree vs. Shrub Figure:
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Shrub:
Tree:
Plant Press:
Maple Leaves:
Devil’s Walking Stick:
Honey Locust Thorns:
Poison Ivy Leaves:
Poison Ivy Rash:
Plant Guide:
Dichotomous Key:
Dichotomous Key for Leaves:
Twig Diagram:
Twig Picture:
Leaf Scar Shapes: Brown and Kirkman Trees of Georgia and Adjacent States. Timber Press, Inc.
Leaf Scar Figure:
Types of Pith: Brown and Kirkman Trees of Georgia and Adjacent States. Timber Press, Inc.
Twig Pith Figure:

24. Credits:
Simple Leaf Figure: Brown and Kirkman Trees of Georgia and Adjacent States. Timber Press, Inc.
Simple Leaf Picture:
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