Urban TreeDendrology (Tree I.D.)

Developed by:Sheldon Hammond, Northwest District ANR

Program Development CoordinatorIn Cooperation with

The University of GeorgiaCooperative Extension Service

Urban Forestry Issue Team

What is a Tree?

Often reaches 15 feet or more in height at maturity

Has a single trunk or dominant multiple trunks

Has no normal branches on the lower trunk

Has at least a partially defined crown

Usually larger than other plants and tend to be long-lived

Classes of Trees In the South

Gymnosperms Softwoods

Angiosperms Hardwoods Broadleaf Palms and

yuccas

Softwoods

Foliage Needles, scales

Reproduction cones

Examples Pines, hemlocks,

cedars, cypresses

Hardwoods

Foliage Broadleaf

Reproduction Flowers

Examples maple, oak,

pecan, walnut

Tree IdentificationFeatures

Leaves Twigs and stems Bark Flowers Fruit and seeds Cones

Tree IdentificationKeys

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Part Type Shape Arrangement on the stem Venation Shape of apex and base Margin Surface

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Parts

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Type Hardwood

Simple Leaf Compound Leaf

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Type Hardwood - Compound

Pinnate Bipinnate Palmate

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Type Softwood

Awl-like Scale-like Needle-like

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Shape

Ovate Lanceolate Cordate Spatulate Ellipitcal Obovate Oblanceolate

Obcordate Oblong Reniform Linear Cuneate Peltate Hastate

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Arrangement on the stem

Opposite Whorled Alternate

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Venation

Pinnate Palmate Parallel Dichotomous

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Shape of apex and base Apices

Bases

Acute Acuminate Obtuse Truncate Emarginate Cuspidate

Obtuse Acute Cuneate Oblique Cordate

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Margin

Entire Serrate Serrulate Doubly-serrate

Dentate Crenate Incised (lobed) Sinuate

Tree IdentificationLeaf Characteristics

Surface

Tree IdentificationTwigs And Stem

Tree IdentificationBark

Shape or general appearance. Texture Thickness Color

Smooth Furrowed Scaly Warty Shaggy

Tree IdentificationFlowers

Complete & Incomplete Perfect and Imperfect

Tree IdentificationFruits and Seeds

Simple Fruits Dry Fruit (indehiscent,

dehiscent) Fleshy Fruit

Compound Fruits Aggregate Fruits

Cones Pollen Cones Female Cones Seritinous Cones

Hickory – Dehiscent husk

Oak Acorn –Indehiscent

Persimmon- Berry

Cherry – Drupe

Apple – Pome

Sweetgum – Multiple head of nutlets

Acknowledgements Funds for this project were provided by the Urban and Community

Forestry Financial Assistance Program administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission.

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