leaf collection 7 th grade science plants objective collect and identify collect and identify...

Leaf CollectionLeaf Collection

77thth grade Science grade SciencePlantsPlants

ObjectiveObjective

Collect and identify Collect and identify

different leaves of Mississippidifferent leaves of Mississippi

Identifying TreesIdentifying Trees

The first step in tree identification is The first step in tree identification is knowing that there are always knowing that there are always distinguishing characteristics that distinguishing characteristics that separate one tree species from another.separate one tree species from another.

What do I look at?What do I look at? TREE TYPE -- --Deciduous or Conifer?  Tree or a shrub? Determining these things Deciduous or Conifer?  Tree or a shrub? Determining these things

starts you off on your way to tree identification. starts you off on your way to tree identification.

LEAF -- --Leaves are often the easiest way to identify most trees. Are the leaves Leaves are often the easiest way to identify most trees. Are the leaves arranged in an opposite or alternate pattern?arranged in an opposite or alternate pattern?

BARK -- --Bark can be helpful for identifying some types of trees. Bark can be helpful for identifying some types of trees. 

FRUIT -- --The wide variety of fruit shapes makes them useful when identifying The wide variety of fruit shapes makes them useful when identifying trees. trees. 

TWIG -- --You can actually tell a lot just by looking at the twig.You can actually tell a lot just by looking at the twig.    

FORM -- --The way a tree grows can tell you a great deal about a tree. The way a tree grows can tell you a great deal about a tree. 

Deciduous or Coniferous?Deciduous or Coniferous?

Coniferous Deciduous

Deciduous & ConiferousDeciduous & Coniferous Deciduous treesDeciduous trees lose lose

their leaves before the their leaves before the cold or dry season. cold or dry season. Before the leaves fall off Before the leaves fall off they often turn orange, they often turn orange, red, or yellow. But, new red, or yellow. But, new leaves will appear again leaves will appear again in the spring. Deciduous in the spring. Deciduous trees also always have trees also always have some type of a fruit or some type of a fruit or pod holding the seed.pod holding the seed.

Coniferous treesConiferous trees have have small and waxy leaves, small and waxy leaves, usually called needles. usually called needles. Most conifers keep their Most conifers keep their leaves all year long. The leaves all year long. The seed in conifers are seed in conifers are usually found in a cone of usually found in a cone of some sort. Scientists some sort. Scientists refers to the seed of refers to the seed of conifers as “naked seeds” conifers as “naked seeds” because they are not because they are not enclosed in anything.enclosed in anything.

Coniferous Coniferous Step 1Step 1

After you have decided if your tree is a conifer After you have decided if your tree is a conifer the next step is to look at the leaves (needles).the next step is to look at the leaves (needles).

Needle shapedNeedle shaped or or Not needle shapedNot needle shaped

White CedarSpruce

ConiferousConiferousStep 2Step 2

If the leaves are scaly If the leaves are scaly (not needle shaped) (not needle shaped) you you have identified a cedar. have identified a cedar.

If the leaves are needle shaped you have to If the leaves are needle shaped you have to determine if they are determine if they are singlesingle, , groupedgrouped, or , or clusteredclustered..

ConiferousConiferousStep 3Step 3

Single needles means you have a spruce, fir, or Single needles means you have a spruce, fir, or hemlock!hemlock!

Flat needlesFlat needles or or Angled needlesAngled needles

Spruce Fir

ConiferousConiferousStep 4Step 4

Grouped needles are Pine trees!Grouped needles are Pine trees!

ConiferousConiferousStep 5Step 5

Clustered needles are the conifers that lose Clustered needles are the conifers that lose their leaves during the cold and dry months. their leaves during the cold and dry months. Tamaracks and larches are good examples of Tamaracks and larches are good examples of deciduous conifers.deciduous conifers.

Clustered Needles Tamaracks and a spruce during the fall

DeciduousDeciduousStep 1Step 1

Look at the branching next:Look at the branching next:

AlternateAlternate or or OppositeOpposite

DeciduousDeciduousStep 2Step 2

Now you have to decide if you have a simple Now you have to decide if you have a simple or compound leaf.or compound leaf.

Simple LeavesSimple Leaves or or Compound Compound LeavesLeaves

DeciduousDeciduousStep 3Step 3

Next you need to look at the leaf’s veins.Next you need to look at the leaf’s veins.

Palmate VeinsPalmate Veins or or Pinnate VeinsPinnate Veins

DeciduousDeciduousStep 4Step 4

Now determine if your leaves are lobed or not Now determine if your leaves are lobed or not lobed.lobed.

LobedLobed or or Not LobedNot Lobed

DeciduousDeciduousStep 5Step 5

By now you may already have your leaf By now you may already have your leaf identified. If not you will need to keep going. identified. If not you will need to keep going. The next few slides will point out some other The next few slides will point out some other unique characteristics of trees and leaves that unique characteristics of trees and leaves that make them easy to identify. make them easy to identify.

Unique TreeHere are some ginkgo leaves. They look like they would be deciduous but they are actually classified as a type of gymnosperm. Does anyone one know why that may be?

Deciduous Deciduous Step 6Step 6

Are there thorns present?Are there thorns present?

Hawthorn Tree

DeciduousDeciduousStep 7Step 7

Is your leaf toothed or smooth?Is your leaf toothed or smooth?

ToothedToothed or or SmoothSmooth

DeciduousDeciduousStep 8Step 8

What does the base of your leaf look like?What does the base of your leaf look like?

FlatFlat UnevenUneven Heart Heart

Cottonwood Elm Basswood

DeciduousDeciduousStep 9Step 9

Does the tree have a unique type of bark?Does the tree have a unique type of bark?

Paper BirchPaper Birch Shagbark HickoryShagbark Hickory

DeciduousDeciduousStep 10Step 10

Sometimes deciduous leaves are very narrow.Sometimes deciduous leaves are very narrow.

WillowsWillows Russian-OliveRussian-Olive

Time to ReviewTime to Review

Directions:Directions:1.1. Read the questions carefullyRead the questions carefully2.2. Select the best answer and click on it to see if Select the best answer and click on it to see if

you are correct or not.you are correct or not.3.3. After you have answered the question click on After you have answered the question click on

the button in the bottom right corner to take you the button in the bottom right corner to take you to the next screen.to the next screen.

Review 1Review 1

Coniferous Deciduous

Are these coniferous or deciduous trees?

ExcellentExcellent

You have been listening!You have been listening!

Next Screen

IncorrectIncorrect

So now you should know the answer was So now you should know the answer was deciduous. Deciduous trees have the broad deciduous. Deciduous trees have the broad

leaves that will fall off during winter.leaves that will fall off during winter.

Next Screen

What type of trees hold their seeds in a What type of trees hold their seeds in a cone of some sort?cone of some sort?

Coniferous

OrOr

Deciduous

Review 2

Great JobGreat Job

You are getting this!You are getting this!

Next Screen

Incorrect Incorrect

Deciduous trees hold their seeds in Deciduous trees hold their seeds in some sort of a fruit or pod. Conifers some sort of a fruit or pod. Conifers

have their seeds in a cone.have their seeds in a cone.

Next Screen

Review 3Review 3

What type of needles do Pine trees have?What type of needles do Pine trees have?

Clustered Needles

Grouped Needles

Single Needles

CorrectCorrect

Pines always have grouped needles!Pines always have grouped needles!

Next Screen

SorrySorry

Try AgainTry Again

Next Screen

SorrySorry

Try AgainTry Again

Next Screen

Review 4Review 4

What type of needles do Spruce trees have?What type of needles do Spruce trees have?

Clustered Needles

Grouped Needles

Single Needles

CorrectCorrect

Spruce trees all have single needles.Spruce trees all have single needles.

Next Screen

SorrySorry

Try AgainTry Again

Next Screen

SorrySorry

Try AgainTry Again

Next Screen

Review 5Review 5

Single needles are going to be flat or angled. Single needles are going to be flat or angled. What is the picture below showing?What is the picture below showing?

Flat Angled

CorrectCorrect

The picture was showing needles from a The picture was showing needles from a hemlock. Hemlocks are easy to recognize hemlock. Hemlocks are easy to recognize

with their short flat needles.with their short flat needles.

Next Screen

IncorrectIncorrect

The picture was showing needles from a The picture was showing needles from a hemlock. Hemlocks are easy to recognize hemlock. Hemlocks are easy to recognize

with their short flat needles.with their short flat needles.

Next Screen

Review 6Review 6

What type of branching is the picture What type of branching is the picture showing?showing?

Alternate Opposite

CorrectCorrect

Good job listening!Good job listening!

Next Screen

IncorrectIncorrect

The picture was showing you The picture was showing you opposite branching.opposite branching.

Next Screen

Review 7Review 7

Are these simple or compound leaves?Are these simple or compound leaves?

Compound Simple

CorrectCorrect

The compound leaves on the left were from The compound leaves on the left were from a black walnut and the leaves on the right a black walnut and the leaves on the right

were from a shagbark hickory.were from a shagbark hickory.

Next Screen

IncorrectIncorrect

Simple leaves only have one leaf connected Simple leaves only have one leaf connected to the stem. Compound leaves as you can to the stem. Compound leaves as you can see have many leaves connected to the one see have many leaves connected to the one

stem.stem.

Next Screen

Review 8Review 8

What type of veins do these leaves have?What type of veins do these leaves have?

Pinnate Veins Palmate Veins

CorrectCorrect

Maple and Oak leaves always have Maple and Oak leaves always have palmate veins.palmate veins.

Next Screen

IncorrectIncorrect

Pinnate veins look like this:Pinnate veins look like this:

Next Screen

Review 9Review 9

Are these leaves lobed or not lobed?Are these leaves lobed or not lobed?

Lobed Not lobed

CorrectCorrect

Elm leaves are not lobed.Elm leaves are not lobed.

Next Screen

IncorrectIncorrect

These are what lobed leaves look These are what lobed leaves look like:like:

Next Screen

Review 10Review 10

Do these leave have a toothed or smooth edge?Do these leave have a toothed or smooth edge?

Smooth Toothed

CorrectCorrect

All done reviewing!All done reviewing!

Next Slide

SorrySorry

Toothed leaves would look like this:Toothed leaves would look like this:

Next Slide

Good LuckGood Luck

Now you are prepared to collect and identify Now you are prepared to collect and identify your leaves. It will be lots of fun learning your leaves. It will be lots of fun learning about the world around you!!!about the world around you!!!