Tree Identification - Tidewater SWCD

Tree
Identification

What is a tree?

ŠWoody plant
ŠUsually one main stem
ŠExceeds 15 feet in height

and 3 inches in diameter
at maturity.

Tree Growth

Š Growth occurs only
from meristem tissue
(cambium, stem and
root tips).

Š Early (spring) wood is
light and softer.

Š Late (summer) wood
is dark and denser.

Š 1 light + 1 dark ring =
1 year’s growth

Tree Trunk Anatomy

* Diagram Bark
not to scale
Sapwood (newer
xylem)

Heartwood
(older xylem)
Pith

Vascular
cambium
Phloem

Angiosperm or Gymnosperm?

Š Gymnosperms are a taxonomic class that
includes plants whose seeds are not enclosed
in an ovule (like a pine cone).

Š Gymnosperm means "naked seed".
Š This group is often referred to as softwoods.
Š Gymnosperms usually have needles that stay

green throughout the year.

– pines, cedars, spruces and firs.

Š Some gymnosperms do drop their leaves

– ginkgo, dawn redwood, and bald cypress, to name
a few.

Angiosperm

Š Angiosperms are a taxonomic class of plants
in which the mature seed is surrounded by the
ovule (think of an apple).

Š Often referred to as hardwoods.
Š Angiosperms have broad leaves that usually

change color and die every autumn.

– Oaks, maples and dogwoods are examples of
deciduous trees.

Š Some angiosperms hold their leaves

– rhododendron, live oak, and sweetbay magnolia.

Tree Identification Features

Š Leaves
Š Bark
Š Twigs
ŠReproductive Parts
ŠOverall Form
ŠGrowing Site

Leaf Characteristics

Š Angiosperm or Gymnosperm?
Š Arrangement on stem
Š Simple or compound?
Š Pinnate or palmate leaflets or veins
Š Margins
Š Base and tip features
Š Special characteristics (smell,

texture, stipules, glands, etc.)

Leaf Parts

Veins (pinnate) Blade

Petiole
Edge/Margin

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Opposite

Venation

Pinnate – One main vein starting at the

petiole, with smaller ones branching off.

Palmate – Several main veins starting at the

petiole, with smaller ones branching off.

Simple vs. Compound

Simple – leaf has one part

Compound – one leaf has
multiple parts (leaflets)

Compound Leaves

Pinnate

Bipinnate

Palmate

Compound Leaves

Pinnately Bipinnately
compound compound

Palmately
compound

Leaf Margins

What Type of Margin?

Serrated (toothed)

Entire
Doubly Serrated

Lobes

Sinus Lobe

Leaf Bases

acute rounded cordate

oblique auriculate

Leaf Tips

acuminate acute obtuse

obcordate cuspidate

Needles

Needles cont.

Rounded scale-like

Flattened scale-like

Characteristics?

Characteristics?



Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Bark Characteristics

Terminology is somewhat subjective.

Descriptive terms may include:
smooth, scaly, ridged, furrowed,
fissured, platy, blocky, netted, and
more!

Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Characteristics?

Twig Characteristics

Leaf scar, w/ Lenticels (the
bundle scars tiny dots)

Pith

Terminal

Lateral bud

bud



Flowers