tim culbreth: tree id presentation

Basics to Tree ID:Basics to Tree ID:

Greenbelt Forest Stewards Greenbelt Forest Stewards

Tim CulbrethTim Culbreth

Chesapeake Watershed ForesterChesapeake Watershed Forester

Maryland Forest ServiceMaryland Forest Service

tculbreth@dnr.state.md.ustculbreth@dnr.state.md.us

TopicsTopics

• Why ID Trees?

• What is a tree?

• Different ways to identify trees

• Tree names

• Simple tree key

• Timber Products

Why Identify Trees?Why Identify Trees?

• Wildlife Habitat

Why Identify Trees?Why Identify Trees?

• Indicators of Soil Types & Conditions

Why Identify Why Identify

Trees?Trees?

Why Identify Trees?Why Identify Trees?

• Educated Land Use and Land

Management Decisions

Why Identify Trees?Why Identify Trees?

• For Your Own Satisfaction & Enjoyment

To Know What YouTo Know What You’’re Doing!re Doing!

Executive Office of the Governor of MarylandExecutive Office of the Governor of Maryland

What Is a Tree?What Is a Tree?

•• ““A woody plant which at A woody plant which at

maturity is 20 feet or more maturity is 20 feet or more

in height,with a single in height,with a single

trunk , unbranched for at trunk , unbranched for at

least several feet above least several feet above

the ground, and having the ground, and having

more or less a definite more or less a definite

crown.crown.””

Some Different Ways Some Different Ways

to Identify Treesto Identify Trees

LeavesLeaves

BarkBark

TwigsTwigs

Form or ShapeForm or Shape

FlowersFlowers

ConesCones

FruitFruit

Fall ColorFall Color

Position in LandscapePosition in Landscape

WoodWood

Tree Tree

NamesNames

What do these trees have in What do these trees have in

common?common?

•• BlueBlue--beechbeech

•• IronwoodIronwood

•• MusclewoodMusclewood

•• WaterWater--beechbeech

•• American hornbeamAmerican hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

Dichotomous KeyDichotomous Key

•• A series of choicesA series of choices

•• Divided into two parts Divided into two parts or classificationsor classifications

•• If not (x), then (y)If not (x), then (y)

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

Leaves: Broad or NeedleLeaves: Broad or Needle--like?like?

If Leaves Broad:

Alternate or Opposite?

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

If Leaves Opposite:If Leaves Opposite:

MAD Horse!MAD Horse!

Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Horse ChestnutMaple, Ash, Dogwood, Horse Chestnut

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

Leaf KeyLeaf KeyIf Leaves Opposite: If Leaves Opposite:

Simple or Compound?Simple or Compound?

If Leaves Alternate:

Simple or Compound?

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

If Leaves Simple:

Smooth, Toothed or Lobed?

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

If Leaves Needle-like:

Single or Bundles?

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

If Needles in Bundles:

Groups of 2, 3 or 5?

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

Scale-like leaves

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

Awl-like leaves

Leaf KeyLeaf Key

Red Oak Group

White Oak Group

Oak LeavesOak Leaves

Sugar

MapleNorway

Maple

Red

Maple

Questions?Questions?

Tim CulbrethTim Culbreth

tculbreth@dnr.state.md.ustculbreth@dnr.state.md.us

410410--260260--85898589