Tree Identification and Leaf Characteristics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for key tree species, scientific names, leaf arrangements, and identification features based on lecture notes.

Alternate Leaves

A leaf arrangement where one leaf is attached at each node.

Opposite Leaves

A leaf arrangement where two leaves are attached at each node.

Whorled Leaves

A leaf arrangement where three or more leaves or other parts are attached to a stem at the same point.

MADHORSE

A mnemonic for tree types with opposite leaves: Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Horse Chestnut.

Coniferous Trees

Cone-bearing trees found mostly in cold or temperate regions with needle-like or scale-like leaves adapted to withstand harsh climates.

Deciduous Trees

Trees with broad, flat leaves that shed annually in autumn to reduce water loss, enrich soil with leaf litter, and provide habitat and food for diverse wildlife.

Eastern Hemlock

Pennsylvania's state tree (Tsuga canadensis) with individual needles featuring 2 parallel white lines on their underside and tiny soft inch-big pinecones.

Sugar Maple

A tree (Acer saccharum) characterized by opposite 5-lobed leaves and upside-down U-shaped samaras (helicopter seeds).

Red Maple

A tree (Acer rubrum) featuring simple opposite 3-lobed leaves, red stems, upside-down V-shaped samaras, and leaves that are almost always red.

White Ash

A deciduous tree (Fraxinus americana) characterized by compound opposite leaves and X-shaped patterns in the bark.

Sassafras

A simple, alternate, deciduous tree (Sassafras albidum) with 4 different leaf shapes that smells like Fruit Loops when crushed.

American Beech

An alternate, simple, deciduous tree (Fagus grandifolia) with smooth light-to-mid gray bark, cigar-like buds, and hairs on the ends of its leaves.

Black Cherry

An alternate, simple, deciduous tree (Prunus serotina) characterized by blotchy dark black mature bark, dark cherries, and a fuzzy-ish leaf midrib underside.

Northern Red Oak

An alternate leaf tree (Quercus rubra) with pointed/hairy oak leaf lobes and ski-tail bark.

White Oak

An alternate leaf tree (Quercus alba) featuring rounded oak leaf lobes, flaky bark, and elongated acorns.

Tulip Tree

An alternate leaf tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) that grows tall and straight, with 4-lobed hoofprint-shaped leaves, outward-pointing veins, and orange/yellow flowers.

Black Walnut

An alternate compound leaf tree (Juglans nigra) that produces brown walnuts and features bark similar to ash.

Flowering Dogwood

A simple, opposite, deciduous tree (Cornus florida) with 4 white flower-like bracts, hatchery-like buds, lifted bark, and equal 3-opposite veins on leaves.

Eastern White Pine

A coniferous tree (Pinus strobus) with long, loose pinecones and 5 needles per bundle.

American Sycamore

A simple, alternate, deciduous tree (Platanus occidentalis) found near water, featuring huge leaves, hanging balls, and speckled, splotchy, peeling multi-colored bark.

Shagbark Hickory

An alternate compound leaf tree (Carya ovata) that serves as bat habitat, featuring shaggy peeling bark and hickory nuts with distinct lines.