Trees of Virginia

IntroductionTrees are a renewable resourceNumerous environmental, economic, and

cultural benefitsImprove our quality of life

What trees doModerate our climateProvide clean waterProvide fresh airHomes for wildlifeBeautyRecreationProvide jobs, wood productsQuiet places to observe nature

Forests constantly changeSwift change

FireIce WindTimber harvest

Forests also change slowlySuccessionClimate change

Virginia ForestsHardwood forest covers over 20% of the total

forest of VAIf left undisturbed, most if not all of VA would

be forestedWe have at least 3 tree harvests in most

areasOnly a few remote areas still have virgin

forestPines are mostly pioneer species

Tree Identification 101Trees can be identified in a variety of ways

Parts, types and position of leavesShape of leavesTypes of budsTypes of leaf marginsTypes of flowersTypes of fruits

Conifers aka GymnospermsHave needles not leavesPhotosynthesize all year longAre very flexible to withstand heavy snowfall

Deciduous treesLose leaves in fallGo dormant during the winterActively grow spring, summer, fallAdaptations for life in the temperate zone

Simple versus compound

Pinnate versus palmate

Opposite versus alternate

Smooth versus toothed margins

Identify common trees at BRHSFor each tree use the tree guides Cut out the tree picture and paste it in your

nature journalIdentify the tree by its common nameIdentify the tree by its common nameIdentify its habitatHeight at maturityOne 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