The Tree Identification Book

By George W. Symonds and Stephen V. Chelminski

The classic easy-reference field guide with more than 1500 photographs: “An almost foolproof practical reference book.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
 
This useful book for botanists, horticulturists, and nature lovers is made up of two parts: Pictorial Keys and Master Pages. The Keys are designed for easy visual comparison of details that look alike, narrowing the identification of a tree to one of a small group—the family or genus. Then, in the Master Pages, the species of the tree is determined, with similar details placed together to highlight differences within the family group, thus eliminating all other possibilities.
All of the more than 1500 photographs were made specifically for use in this book and were taken either in the field or of carefully collected specimens. Where possible, details such as leaves, fruit, etc., appear in actual size, or in the same scale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: May 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9780062281456

Book preview

PART I

PICTORIAL KEYS

BROAD-LEAVED TREES

ALL ARE DECIDUOUS (losing leaves in fall) except Holly which is evergreen.

CONTENTS: Key #1 Opposite—Growth Characteristics

Key #2 Thorns

Key #3 Leaves

Key #4 Flowers

Key #5 Fruit

Key #6 Twigs and Buds

Key #7 Bark

Key #1 OPPOSITE—Leaves, Buds and Branching

Maple....................................Acer

Ash........................................Fraxinus

Paulownia..............................Paulownia

Catalpa...................................Catalpa

Buckeye.................................Aesculus

    Horsechestnut....................Aesculus hippocastanum

Nannyberry............................Viburnum lentago (also all other Viburnums)

Flowering Dogwood..............Cornus florida (Also all other Dogwoods except Alternate-leaved Dogwood—Cornus alternifolia)

opposite Leaves

opposite Leaves

The leaves of these seven trees (genera) grow opposite along the twig, those of all other deciduous trees included in this book are alternate. It is, therefore, an important characteristic to look for. The Maples and Ashes, especially, are very common, and this feature alone often leads to their identification. Note that the Paulownia and Catalpa have very similar leaves, but the Paulownia is typically opposite, whereas the Catalpa, instead of growing leaves in pairs, sends out three leaves at a point (node) around the twig in what is called a whorl, but the leaves are not alternate. Even in winter, the opposite-leaf characteristic is still plainly evident, as the leaf scars (where the leaves were attached to the twig before falling) are clearly opposite. The Catalpa, of course, will show a whorl of three leaf scars around the twig.

The Maples, Ashes and Viburnums also have buds, twigs and small branches growing opposite. Notice that the Maple twigs are more profuse and smaller than those of the Ash, which has relatively few and rather large twigs. Look up from under the trees to see this. In winter this feature will prove very helpful in the woods where the trees are high-branched and often out of