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LEAF GUIDE TREE IDENTIFICATION KEY PDF
LEAF GUIDE TREE IDENTIFICATION KEY SERIES

Opposite – The arrangement is on the same spot on stem but on opposite sides of the stem. Petiole – The stalk that joins the leaf to the stem.Īlternate – The arrangement is at alternating points from one side of the stem to the other or staggered. It is essential that the user know the vocabulary 4 of the Key, such as but not limited to: A hand lens, a set of pruners and a bright area to work in will also help in discerning these relatively small species-specific character traits on the twig. The main morphological features included in the Key are the following: the arrangement and position of buds, bud scales, arrangement of leaf scars, pith anatomy, number of vascular bundle scars, stipular scars and armament. For the typically difficult genus Quercus or oak, it also helps to look for acorns around the base of the tree as the acorn’s morphological features can differentiate between species. Bark can be diagnostic for some trees with very pronounced characteristics like the smooth bark of a beech ( Fagus grandiflora) for example but depending on the age of the tree or the position of the bark on the trunk, different bark texture may be observed on the same tree which can lead to confusion and it is not always diagnostic. The features of the tree which are visible in winter and which are most diagnostic of each species are based on the woody plant morphology which does not include the bark of the tree. An easy way to obtain the common name if you are not familiar with the Latin species name is to use the online NCSU Plant Toolbox 3. Dichotomous keys start by presenting the user with two sets of plant characteristics in a couplet form, then the user has to select one of the two choices, which more accurately describes the specimen in hand 1. The user’s choice leads them to the next couplet and so on until they reach a species name and there are no more choices to make. The Key gives the species name in Latin to avoid confusion from the many common names a tree species can have. Alexander Krings for our particular geographical region of the Piedmont 2. To differentiate between character traits of tree species one can use the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Dichotomous Key (Key) developed by Dr. I recently attended a Tree Identification In Winter Workshop by Matt Jones, Extension Agent, Horticulture at the Chatham County Center in Pittsboro where I was introduced to such precise methods and I practiced identifying twigs using the ‘tools of the trade’ 1.

LEAF GUIDE TREE IDENTIFICATION KEY PDF

S-southern third of state, C-central portion of state, N-northern third of state, A-all of state.ĭownload a PDF of A Key to Common Trees of Alabama, ANR-0509.If you are hiking in the forest this winter or even ‘intentionally walking your own yard’ (recent post on ) and want to identify a tree, the best way to identify the species in the wintertime is to use the morphological features of the tree that botanists utilize. The following codes indicate the general range where each occurs. Some of the species covered do not occur throughout the state. Terms used in this key are illustrated on pages 10 through 13.

Become familiar with the botanical terms used to describe trees.

When measurements are given, as in the size of the leaves, don’t guess.

Key characteristics, especially leaves, can vary even on the same tree.

Always look at several samples when keying a specimen.

Then, try to choose between the descriptions of the two resulting answers.

If the choice between two statements is not clear, or you don’t have enough information to make the choice, follow both choices to their conclusions.

Always read both choices, even if the first choice sounds correct.

This will make it easier for you to find and correct mistakes. It is a good practice to write down your order of progress, such as 1 – 2 – 4. Each choice will refer you to the next step, which may be a number, another section in the key, or the conclusion or species.

Always start at the beginning of the key and follow it step by step.

The following suggestions should help you as you begin working with the key: This key will not work for trees that do not appear on this list. This key was designed for use during the growing season therefore, leaf characteristics are the primary features used for identification.Ī listing of the common and scientific names for the 69 trees is found on page 9.

LEAF GUIDE TREE IDENTIFICATION KEY SERIES

Keys such as this one, which is based on a series of choices between two statements, are called dichotomous keys. This key can help you identify 69 of the most common native trees found in Alabama.