Forest Dendrology All In One Lessons from One Less Thing Identifying Characteristics of Trees Georgia MSAGED8-12: Students will be able to classify and list examples of trees specific to our region

What is a Tree? a woody plant having one well- defined stem and a formed crown that usually attains a height of at least 8 feet has three main parts: roots, stem and crown

Main Parts of a Tree roots: anchor the tree and absorb nutrients from the soil trunk: transports food, water, and nutrients up and down the tree crown: contains the branches and leaves; where photosynthesis occurs which makes food for the rest of the tree

Characteristics Used for Identification leaves or needles stems and buds fruit and seed bark shape height

Using Leaves for Identification Some leaf characteristics to look at: tree type leaf type leaf arrangement margin type leaf shape

Tree Type evergreen: keeps its leaves or needles all year deciduous: sheds it leaves every year

Leaf Type simple: only one leaf comes off a node compound: more than one leaflet makes up the leaf

Leaf Arrangement alternate: leaves grown like stair- steps going up the stem opposite: leaves grow directly across from each other on the stem whorled: leaves spiral up the stem

Leaf Margin smooth: the edge of the leaf is entire or complete serrated: the edge of the leaf is jagged with “teeth” (like a saw)

Leaf Shape lobed: the shape of the leaf is divided into parts called lobes (do not confuse with compound leaves) entire: leaf has a complete blade without lobes can also look at how many lobes it has, the shape of the base of the leaf, the tip, and the overall shape the leaf makes

Other Characteristics stems and buds: arrangement, shape, and type fruit and seed: type, shape, color, and arrangement bark: shape, color, and texture shape: overall shape of the entire tree height: how tall an average tree of that species can get

Thank You for Using All In One Lessons from One Less Thing