Review for Trees and Forests Classification Quiz
Tree Shape
Trees can be classified by their shape. We often look at the crown of the tree to help us
determine its shape. Examples of shape include round or circular, square, oval, ovate
(oval shaped but comes to a point), oblong, triangular
Leaf Classification
Trees can be classified by the characteristics of their leaves. When looking at leaves, we
look at 4 different things
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Leaf shape
Leaf Margins
Leaf arrangement
Leaf type
We do not classify by color because leaves turn different colors with the seasons
Leaf shapes- look at the general shape of the leaf
Leaf shape examples
cordate
oval
linear
orbicular
ovate
oblong
Leaf Margins- Look at the outside part of the leaf
wavy
This is also referred to as
fine toothed or coarse
toothed.
Leaf arrangement on branch
Very important that you locate the petiole (the stalk) to help you look to see the
arrangement. Similar arrangements can be found in branching patterns
OPPOSITE
Leaf type
One leaf by itself on the petiole (stalk)
More than one leaf on the petiole (stalk)
smooth
DOUBLE COMPOUND
more than one compound leaf set coming off of the petiole
NEEDLE LEAF
Needle Leaves- needles can be classified as to their shape (square or flat) , their
arrangement (in bundles of 2, bundles of 5, bundles more than 5, single needle, or scaly)
Tree Cookies
A tree cookie is a cross section of a tree. It tells us the history of the tree based on what
we see in the rings.
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Age of tree- count the rings
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Wide rings- good growth; lots of sun, water, good weather
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Narrow rings- poor growth; drought, poor weather, insect attack, disease
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Tree scar- a section of the rings that have been severely damaged. Causes of tree
scars include fire, severe insect attack, a major branch being broken off. Often
goes through several rings and is very easy to see.
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Uneven rings- grows on a slope or something leaning against one side
Trees can be classified into 2 main types- coniferous and deciduous.
Deciduous trees
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Lose their leaves every fall
Often produce flowers and fruit
Broad leaves
Examples native to Alberta include
the aspen and poplar
Coniferous trees
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Do not lose leaves in fall
Cone bearing trees
Needle leaves
Example native to Alberta include
the Lodgepole pine and jackpine
To classify trees, we can look at several different characteristics. A dichotomous key
(classification key) can help us to find the name of the tree.
To classify bark, we can look at
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Color
Texture
Pattern
Parts of a tree – Know what each part does (in definitions)
Outer Bark
Inner Bark
Cambium
**Make sure you study your diagrams that we have taken in class.