Introduction Trees are a renewable resource Numerous environmental, economic, and cultural benefits Improve our quality of life
What trees do Moderate our climate Provide clean water Provide fresh air Homes for wildlife Beauty Recreation Provide jobs, wood products Quiet places to observe nature
Forests constantly change Swift change Fire Ice Wind Timber harvest
Forests also change slowly Succession Climate change
Virginia Forests Hardwood forest covers over 20% of the total forest of VA If left undisturbed, most if not all of VA would be forested We have at least 3 tree harvests in most areas Only a few remote areas still have virgin forest Pines are mostly pioneer species
Tree Identification 101 Trees can be identified in a variety of ways Parts, types and position of leaves Shape of leaves Types of buds Types of leaf margins Types of flowers Types of fruits
Conifers aka Gymnosperms Have needles not leaves Photosynthesize all year long Are very flexible to withstand heavy snowfall
Deciduous trees Lose leaves in fall Go dormant during the winter Actively grow spring, summer, fall Adaptations for life in the temperate zone
Simple versus compound
Pinnate versus palmate
Opposite versus alternate
Smooth versus toothed margins
Identify common trees at BRHS For each tree use the tree guides Cut out the tree picture and paste it in your nature journal Identify the tree by its common name Identify its habitat Height at maturity One interesting fact about the tree
Green Ash
Eastern red cedar
Red bud
Red mulberry
Eastern white pine
Black locust
Sweet gum
Red maple
Sugar maple
Pin oak