Dendrology

Dendrology

Is the study of trees and includes taxonomy, identification, silivical characteristics, ranges, morphology, and ecology

Factors that make a Tree

Heights 4.5m (15ft) or more

Perenial

Single dominant woody stem

Capable of diameter growth

Factors that make a Shrub

Heights under 4.5m (15ft)

Perenial

Multi-stemmed

Capable of dianeter growth

Tree Life Cycle

Seed → Sprout → Sapling → Mature → Mature Oak → Snag

Seed dispersal methods

Animals, wind, water, humans

How do seeds develope

Male & female parts of the tree producing fruits

Seeds are either in ______ like an acorm or in ______ like the black cherry

a prptective nut…. fleshy fruits

Seedling

• Begins to develop woody characteristics

• Stem harden, change color, & develop a thin protective bark

• Roots are in the upper soil 4 water, nutrients, & air

• Laeves/needles are adapted to shade but tilt toward light

Threats to seedlings

Fire, flood, drought, disease, insect attacks, animals

DBH

Diameter at Breast Height (4.5ft): Standard height to measure trees

Factors that make Sapling

• 1-4 in DBH

• Not mature enough to reproduct

• Branches develop

• ~Size of a nursery tree

• Same competition as seedlings (Fire, flood, drought, disease, insect attacks, animals

Mature Tree

• >4in DBH

• FLowers develop, fruits form, seed dispersal can begin

• Maximum environmental benefits

Benefits of a Snag

• Provides habitat & food for wilflife

• Returns nutrients to soil 4 other trees to use

Problems of a Snag

• Fire Hazard/Fuel

• Public Safety Hazard

Conifer

• Needle shaped leaves

• Cone-bearing

• Evergreen

• Gymnosperm

• Pine

Gymnosperm

A plant that has seeds unprotected by an ovary or fruit

Deciduos

• Broad, flat leaves

• Seasonal

• Angiosperm

• Oak & Ash et all

Angiosperm

• A flowering plant which forms seeds inside a protective chamber called an ovary.

• Broadleaf, hardwood

Factors of Tree ID

• Type

• Arrangement

• Shape

• Margin

• Leaf Shape

Simple Leaf Type

• 1 leaf blade

• Joined by it's stalk to the woody stem

Compound Leaf Type

• Made up of several leaflets

• Leaflets are joined to non-woody midrib

Leaf Arrangment

Whorled, Opposite, Alternate

Alternate

Opposite

Whorled

Leaf Margin

Edges of leaves that can give clues to tree ID; Teeth (serrated, Lobed, Entire)

Entire

Serrate

Serrulate

Double Serrate

Dentate

crenate

undulate

Lobed

Acute

Rounded

Cordate

Oblique

Auriculate

Acuminate

Acute

Obtuse

Truncate

Cuspidate

Live Oak (Quercus virgniana)

Charcteristics of Live Oak

• 3-5 acorn clusters

• enclosing 1/3 of nut;

• Alt, simple, evergreen, entire margin

Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvania)

Characteristics of Green Ash

• Opposuite, pinnately compound leaves

• Single Samaras

Green Ash Fun Fact

The most widespread ash species in North America.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

Charcteristics of Loblolly

• Open spreading crown

• Grayish cone

• 3-2 needles

Loblolly Fun Fact

"loblolly" comes from a slang word used by English seamen for the lumpy gruel they were served at sea.