tree leaf identification

fast growing trees - Austree

2008-05-06T16:12:00.005+01:00

The Austree, or "tree from Australia", is a hybrid willow botanically known as Salix matsudana x alba. The austree, also known as the Aussie tree
s ideal as one of the fast growing trees, to create a screening hedge, as it develops at the rate of 6-10 ft per annum, quickly developing to a wonderful screening hedge. Although not an evergreen, the Aussie tree does put on thick foliage and branching. While most dense in the growing season, you still can enjoy privacy and wind blockage in the dead of winter

As the Austree, is disease resistant and drought resistant (once established) and is also tolerant of both hot and cold climates, the Aussie tree, is found as far North as Canada and South into Florida.

When planting the young tree, dig a hole approximately 18 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep. Gently pack the soil firmly around the roots as you fill the hole to prevent air pockets. When the hole is about 2/3 full, water slowly and thoroughly. Allow it to completely drain before adding any more dirt to the hole. This not only waters your tree but also helps eliminate any air pockets. Plant each, whip like young Aussie tree approximately three to five feet apart. By the end of the first growing season, you will have a thick green screening hedge beginning to take shape.

The branches of the Austree are very flexible and not brittle like other willows so less prone to breaking breaking in high winds or ice, neither do they spread by suckers or seed.

These before and after pictures, show the Aussie tree covered with iceand bent over,

a few days later, the aussie tree can be seen standing
tall once again.

The austree is an amazingly versatile tree that can be planted any time of year. You’ll enjoy watching how quickly it grows.

For a great source for aussie trees see the austree available from fast growing trees.

tree leaf identification glossary

2008-02-11T11:13:00.000Z

One aspect of tree leaf identification, I thought it may be good to take a look at, would be the terms in use.

ALTERNATE: leaves that are staggered, not placed directly across from each other on the twig.
BLADE: the flat part of a leaf or leaflet, characteristic of broadleaf trees.
BRACT: a modified leaf that bears a flower.
BROADLEAF: a tree with leaves that are flat and thin, and generally shed annually.
BUD SCAR: the marks remaining after bud scales drop in spring.
CAMBIUM: A single layer of cells in the tree’s trunk that produces the new wood and bark
COMPOUND LEAF: a leaf with more than one blade. All blades are attached to a single leaf stem. Where the leaf stem attaches to the twig there is a bud.
CONIFER: a cone-bearing tree.
CROWN: Branches, twigs, buds, leaves, flowers and fruit.
DECIDUOUS: shedding all leaves annually.
ENTIRE: a leaf margin with smooth, untoothed edges.
EVERGREEN: trees with needles or leaves that remain alive and on the tree through the winter and into the next growing season.
FASCICLE: A cluster of conifer leaves
FRUIT: The seed-bearing part of a tree
HABITAT: The place where a plant usually grows, e.g., a rocky, moist, well-drained, etc..
HARDWOOD: Term used to describe all broadleaved trees. These tree species are deciduous, retaining their leaves only one growing season. Despite the term, some "hardwoods" such as the aspens, have wood that is relatively soft.
HEARTWOOD: The area next to the pith, which is composed of deal cells and serves as support
INNER BARK (PHLOEM): Conducts usable food from the leaves to the cambium to nourish it or to storage areas in the wood.
LEAF: Stalk and blade of hardwoods: needles and scales of conifers.
LEAF SCAR: the mark left on the twig where the leaf was previously attached.
LEAFLET: Smaller leaf units or leaflets which together form a compound leaf.
LOBES: projections that shape a leaf.
MARGIN: the edge of a leaf.
MEDULLARY RAYS: These rays radiate out from the center of the tree, and serve in lateral conduction and as food storage areas. They are most visible in a cross-sectional view of the tree trunk.
MIDRIB: the primary rib or central vein of a leaf.
OPPOSITE: 2 or 3 leaves that are directly across from each other on the same twig.
OUTER BARK: The area of the tree trunk composed of dead cells. It insulates and protects inner tissues from disease infections and drying.
PALMATE: blades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like fingers on the palm of a hand.
PERSISTENT: deciduous leaf blades that remain on the tree for more than one year.
PETIOLE: the leafstalk that connects the blade(s) to the twig.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS: This is the process that occurs in the leaves. From energy produced by sunlight, the leaves combine carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce carbohydrates. Oxygen is released in the process. Carbohydrates plus fats and proteins are the plant foods necessary for growth and respiration of the tree.
PINNATE: blades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like the vanes of a feather.
PISTILLATE: The part of the leaf that contains female portions of flowers, or the pistils
PITH: The central, soft part of the stem.
ROOTS: Root hairs absorb water and mineral salts from the soil. Larger roots anchor the tree and store nitrogen and carbohydrates.
SAMARA: winged fruit.
SAPWOOD: The area on the outer side of the trunk, which contains the sap conducting tubes. Sapwood is usually lighter in color, but it darkens with age and becomes heartwood. Heartwood and sapwood together comprise the xylem.
SEED: That part of the fruit capable of germinating and producing a new plant.
SIMPLE LEAF: a single leaf blade with a bud at the base of the leaf stem.
SINUS: indentation between lobes on a leaf.
SOFTWOOD: Term used to describe all needle-leaved trees. These species are typically evergreen, retaining their leaves through two or more growing seasons. Larches, including tamarack, are exceptions, being deciduous "softwoods"
SPURS: stubby, often sharp twigs.
TEETH: notches on the outer edge of a leaf.
TREE: A woody plant, generally single-stemmed, that reaches a height of more 15 feet at maturity. A tree has three major parts: roots, trunk and the crown.
TRUNK: The main body of the tree.

The Encyclopedia of North American Trees is a great starter encyclopaedia covering 278 species of North American trees.

Thanks for taking time out to read the tree leaf identification blog

Evergreen trees for the garden

2008-02-08T13:11:00.000Z

Rather than just looking at tree leaf identification on the blog, I thought it would be interesting to have a look at some evergreen trees for the garden.

Evergreens make an ideal tree for the garden, they are able to offer wind protection, screen noise, offer more privacy and because they don't loose their leaves, are able to offer this protection all year round.

To maximise the benefits of planting the evergreens, you will need a little preparation.

The strongest prevailing winds in the USA will be in the North Northwest of the garden and to provide effective wind protection should be planted in a U or L shape to be most effective and planted close to each other, the trees affect wind speed both in front of and behind the trees, (see below).

Evergreen trees, are also highly effective at reducing noise, be that from passing traffic, a shopping mall, or other noise sources. The most effective way to screen sound is to plant the trees in two to three rows directly obscuring the source of the noise. If noise is a real issue, then it may be worth considering building a small bank 3 to 4 feet high with trees planted both on top of it and down the side. This can effectively halve noise disturbance levels.

Evergreens also make a superb privacy hedge. To prepare, make a visual guide, by placing stakes a few feet apart as a guide, to make a closely packed hedge once the trees have grown

Planting of the evergreens is fairly easy. The hole needs to be slightly shallower and twice the diameter of the root system. Ensure the sides of the hole are penetrable by the roots, by scraping the edges. Set the tree in the hole and spread out the roots, the root-ball should be approximately an inch above the surrounding soil. Do ensure the tree remains vertical as you place back the soil. As you backfill ensure you apply water, this will help clear any air pockets. Once the soil has been replaced, water well and then add a 2 to three inch layer of mulch around the tree. The mulch both retains moisture and aids in slowing the growth of weeds and grass.

Follow the evergreen trees link for more information on fast growing trees and the best way to plant Evergreen Trees

If you have any comments on tree leaf identification, please feel free to comment

Tree leaf identification Kruger National Park Lower Sabie Camp

2008-01-11T11:58:00.000Z

Perhaps not a place which immediately comes to mind when considering tree leaf identification, Kruger National Park, provides far more than just animals to explore.

In the Central plains, which is the richest animal viewing area in the Park, is also home to one of the best camps from which to explore the diversity of trees in the area.

Lower Sabie Camp, provides a wide range of animal, bird and trees to explore. Accommodation for 229 visitors in roofed accommodation and camping for an additional 168.

PUT CLICK HERE FOR UK TOUR AGENT

The Boabab is perhaps the most famous of the trees. An African legend tells that a giant child of the Gods once pulled the baobab out of the ground and then stuck it back upside down, which accounts for its root-like branches, it grows to about 25 metres in height with a lifespan ov over 4 000 years.

The Magic Guarri acts as an early warning beacon to other trees in times of impending drought. This slow-growing, dense, evergreen produces a pheromone when it becomes stressed. This triggers the release of tannin in the leaves of surrounding trees which makes them unpalatable, thereby saving the plants in the area, when the drought arrives.

A highly useful guide to trees of Southern Africa is Trees of Southern Africa

Please check back for more information about tree leaf identification. If you would like to comment please feel free to do so.

Tree leaf identification North west trees

2007-12-07T11:06:00.000Z

I have decided to review a guide on tree leaf identification, which covers the North West region.

A fantastic book for a Christmas present

The book divides into two parts. The first section covering conifers the second section is about broad-leaf trees and not just the more common trees in the area.

The narrative provides good description and background of the growth, appearance, ecology and use.

A useful introduction offers information on diversity and the development of the trees, due to climactic and geological conditions.

The reader, is not left to wonder how to use the tree guide, as a helpful section is included to explain the use of the identifier.

The illustrations, are very well detailed, the illustrator, Ramona Hammerley is an expert artist, with credits in other reference books. She has successfully encapsulated the structure and detail in her drawings.

The book is well worthy of consideration as a tree identification guide.

Tree leaf identification Western Region

2007-10-28T10:31:00.000Z

Tree leaf identification in the Western Region of North America is a fairly expansive subject area, with more than 300 species of trees to be found, some introduced from other continents but many native to the region.

The Digger Pine, is widely seen in California, often found at elevations of between 300 and 900 metres, in the dry foothill woodland communities of California's Central Valley.

The huge female cones, long flexible needles in bundles of 3, growing on a crooked, forking trunk, with branches that are not horizontal. The needles are dull gray green and droop noticeably.

Mature trees are usually between 40 and 50 feet tall, the tree bark is dark gray, thick, and broken into scaly ridges.

The Austrian Pine, brought to the USA in the late 1800's is widely spread across North America

Has evergreen needles, 4 to 6 inches long, flexible with two thick, dark green needles per fascicle. The tree reaches up to 100 feet tall with a very dense crown. The cones are ovoid, 2 to 3 inches long, yellow-brown.

The Russian Olive is another non-native species, having been introduced from Germany in the late 1800's.

In the West, Russian-olive occurs mainly in the Great Basin Desert region at 800-2000 feet elevation and is also abundant in riparian zones of the Great Plains, for example, the Platte River in Nebraska.

It is a small, usually thorny tree that can grow to 30 feet in height. Its stems, buds, and leaves have a dense covering of silvery to rusty scales. Leaves are egg or lance-shaped, smooth margined, and alternate along the stem. Highly aromatic, creamy yellow flowers appear in June and July and are later replaced by clusters of abundant silvery fruits.

Because Russian-olive is capable of fixing nitrogen in its roots, it can grow on bare, mineral substrates and dominate riparian vegetation where over story cottonwoods have died.

The Sitka Willow, by contrast, is a native tree, growing predominately in Western North America from Alaska to California and east to Montana.

The Sitka Willow is a 1-8m small tree with sparsely hairy and velvety twigs, alternate deciduous and tapering leaves with a green and sparsely silky upper side and a satiny and short-haired lower side. Found in stream-sides, thickets, lake shores and wetland margins and clearings at up to 400m elevation.
Publish Post
A very useful guide to tree and tree leaf identification in the Western region, is

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Western Region (Audubon Society Field Guide)

Please feel free to post comments and suggestions to this blog on tree leaf identification

Tree leaf identification - Moss Rock Reserve Alabama

2007-10-16T12:52:00.000+01:00

Improvements to the trails at Moss Rock Preserve, make tree leaf identification an easier prospect.

The wilderness within the preserve is only getting better as hardwoods age, grow taller and trails become permanently beaten into the forest floor. In addition to a fleshing out and expansion of trail, numerous improvements such as maps, signage, and nicely built wooden footbridges now grace the cool woods. A 0.2-mile section of the White Trail, which makes up the second half of the loop, now features a series of tree identification stations.

Moss Rock Preserve is set in 250 acre and abundant with trees and plants, rock outcroppings, streams, waterfalls, wildlife and other unique natural features. Currently Moss Rock Preserve is home to four rare species of plants and a rare variant of Little River Canyon Sandstone Glade - one of only 35 known occurrences of the bird around the world.

HOW TO GET THERE

From downtown Birmingham, take U.S. 31 south. Turn onto Patton Road South. Drive 1.5 miles and turn left onto Chapel Lane. Drive 0.5 miles and turn right on Al Seier Road. Drive 1.9 miles and turn right onto Sulphur Springs Road. Drive 0.5 miles and turn right into a gravel parking area on your right.

A great tree identification guide to take with you is here

For more ideas on tree leaf identification, bookmark this blog

Tree leaf identification - fall colors

2007-10-10T08:04:00.000+01:00

Tree leaf identification in fall, is one of a variety of changing colors anda great time to be out in the field.

Having looked at a number of guides, I have found one which meets the criteria, of being useful in the field and with enough information to be of value at home.

Fall Color Finder: A Pocket Guide to Autumn Leaves is a superb pocket guide for fall leaf identification. The identification system is step by step with leaf diagrams and ordered pairs of identifying characteristics. A process of elimination keeps the features that best match a particular leaf, and a quick comparison can be made with color photographs to confirm identification. Fall Color Finder is a useful guide for getting to know fall leaves.

Beginning with an explanation about changing leaf colors, the book is a great resource for field trips, for collection purposes, leaf identification projects, and personal interest.

Fall Color Finder: A Pocket Guide to Autumn Leaves a great pocket source to aid in tree leaf identification

Tree leaf identification walk Springfield Missouri

2007-10-10T06:23:00.000+01:00

Received notification of a tree identification walk in Missouri on 20th October.

Learn to identify common trees by a variety of methods and enjoy spectacular fall color on this guided hike. Ages 12-adult. Registration required. Call 888-4237. at the Springfield Conservation Nature Centre

Tree leaf identification, Sheffield UK

2007-10-05T13:51:00.000+01:00

Just had notification of this even in December

Winter Tree Identification

14 Dec
09:00

Can you tell your Oak from your Ash? How to identify trees during Winter. - Includes an informative walk through a local site. - Cost £55

Contact: Tel 0114 263 4335 or email: training@wildsheffield.com
Location: Sheffield Wildlife Trust - Training Department, 37 Stafford Road, Sheffield, S2 2SF

Tree leaf identification I want it computerised

2007-10-05T10:49:00.000+01:00

One aspect of tree leaf identification, which can make life a little easier, is to use cd-roms, these have the advantage of taking less space and can be used for more intensive investigation.

One of the beauties of cd-rom based identifiers, is they can contain far more information, without requiring a bookshelf to themselves.

It is also sometimes, helpful to have a guide on a laptop while being out, or when looking at images on a computer, possibly from friends asking for n identification and at times like that, I find being able to use the computer is a handy way of identifying trees.

I have had a look at quite a few different packages and found

this to be a useful tool, for North American tree identification.

The 3-CD set has a simple menu that gives you basic tree information, then becomes more specific by breaking the guide information down and into family, genus and species levels.

There are over 20,000 pictures and full text descriptions of leaves, twigs, fruit, flowers, bark, form, and range maps for 860 species of woody plants. Multiple pictures of important distinguishing features are also provided. Similar species can also be compared side by side, with the most distinguishing features highlighted.

Woody Plants in North America Cds is a useful guide to enhance tree leaf identification both in the field and at home

Tree Leaf Identification Caledonian Forest

2007-10-03T09:44:00.000+01:00

Tree leaf identification in the Caledonian Forest is a fascinating and worth while activity.

The Caledonian Forest, used to cover 1.5 million hectares of the Scottish Highlands, with a wide range of plants and animals, it now covers just 1% of that original area. The surviving remnants of the forest are ageing and fragmented, and because of overgrazing, the trees are struggling to regenerate naturally. While the variety of trees in the forest is low, the forest is undergoing a restoration programme, with the aim to expand the forest and bring back extinct species.

Amongst a growing number of other trees in the forest, there are two types of birch. The Silver and Downy.

Silver birch is distributed throughout almost all of Europe and in Asia Minor. Downy birch also occurs throughout much of Europe and in north Asia, and is one of the very few native trees in Iceland.

Both species of birch are widespread in Scotland, with silver birch occurring principally on well-drained, drier soils and downy birch preferring wetter locations. Scotland has a wetter west side than the east, so there is typically a transition between silver and downy as you cross the country.

Birches occur within other forest types and as birchwoods. Prior to deforestation, it is unlikely the Birches were as proportionately as predominant as they are today.

Silver Birch, is the faster growing of the two trees, but both are fast growing pioneer trees, which easily grow in open ground. As pioneer trees, they are typically not long lived, between 60 and 90 years old and are slender trees, reaching a height of 30 metres in the case of the silver and about 20 - 22 metres for the downy.

As young trees, both have a reddish brown bark, which changes as they mature. The downy becoming a greyish white interspersed with horizontal grooves, while the silver, becomes a more prominent white with patches of black.

The leaves of the two trees emerge in April, as bright green, with the colour becoming a duller green in a week or so, changing to Yellow or Brown in Autumn. Silver Birches tend to turn a brighter yellow than the downy, which more typically turns dull, or brownish. The leaves drop towards the end of October

The two species can be distinguished by their leaves, the downy birch being rounder in shape than silver birch, and having a single row of teeth on the margin, while the silver has a double row of teeth. They can also be identified by their twigs, which in silver birch have small white warts, those on downy birch are covered in small hairs or 'down'. Silver birch has an overall drooping, pendulous shape to its branches, whilst the branches on downy birch tend to be more upright. However, intermediate forms exist between the two species, with various combinations of these characteristics, and this can make the identification of individual trees difficult.

Top: Silver birch leaf
Bottom: Downy birch leaf

A great source of information tree leaf identification in Scotland, not just the Caledonian forest, is this guide

A Pleasure in Scottish Trees

Tree leaf identification - Pennsylvania

2007-09-26T14:08:00.000+01:00

Just notified of a tree leaf identification event at Montour Environmental Preserve, Washingtonville, Pennsylvania, this Saturday, 30th October.

Beginning at the Environmental Education Center, PPL naturalist Jon Beam will address tree identification techniques. Later, test what you have learned outdoors and identify the native trees on the preserve.

Red maple, American basswood and white pine are just a few of the many types of trees at PPL’s Montour Environmental Preserve. Learn to identify Pennsylvania trees and learn about their natural history at a program from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Red maple, American basswood and white pine are just a few of the many types of trees at PPL’s Montour Environmental Preserve. Learn to identify Pennsylvania trees and learn about their natural history at a program from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Tree leaf identification starting out

2007-09-24T12:00:00.000+01:00

When I first considered tree leaf identification as a means to working out, what I was looking at, I was a little sceptical and unsure how I would get on.

I had heard of the terms palmate, obviate, alternate etc, which all sounded like a foreign language and something I would never get to grips with.

To start out, I found it easiest, to use trees I knew, or was able to identify through people I knew and then compare the leaf to the guide. Reading the description and ensuring I understood what they were describing and how it related to what I had in front of me.

Relatively quickly, this foreign language began to make sense and I was able, with confidence, to read a leaf description and relate to what I was looking at, making for more precise and accurate identification than I had done previously.

In almost no time, I too was able to describe a leaf, using the correct terminology, referencing trees and helping friends.

Tree leaf identification, is not contrary to popular conception, something you can only do in the Summer months, it is a year round opportunity. The different coloration of leaves at different times of the year, provide clues as to the plant being looked at and can distinguish similar looking leaves at different times of the year.

Even if you are not particularly interested in identifying to specific level every, or even any trees, by actually knowing what you are looking at, the countryside, or town becomes a more meaningful place.

If you know a little about the trees themselves, their growing patterns, preferred conditions, when looking at a photograph you can gain a far greater impression of what you are looking at. An understanding of the topography and geography of the area in question.

Tree leaf identification, needn't be an obsession, it is a highly valuable education.

For a beginners guide to tree leaf identification, I recommend starting here

Tree leaf identification - upcoming workshop Connecticut

2007-09-20T10:45:00.000+01:00

I have just seen notification of a workshop on tree leaf identification in Connecticut, this weekend, 22nd September at 10 a.m.

Jim Luce, supervisor of the grounds at Connecticut College, will be hosting the workshop at the College Arboretum and will focus on identifying trees by their leaves.

The workshop begins with a brief lecture, followed by a walk, in which participants will practice the techniques learnt.

The text for the course is available here

Trees of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada

a book by William M. Harlow.

Registration is $15 for Arboretum members and $18 for the general public. (Students who already have a copy of the text may deduct $9.)

For further information or to register, call 860-439-5060.

Tree leaf identification Rockies and Intermountain western region

2007-09-19T13:36:00.000+01:00

Tree leaf identification in the rockies and Intermountain areas, leads to diversification and a chance to discover alot about how trees grow.

Unique among pines, the needles of a Bristlecone Pine are frosted with tiny white pitch droplets.

The oldest living trees in the United States, bristlecone pines range to 2,500 years old. Its durable wood allows it to stand intact for hundreds of years until its root system decays. Bristlecone pines grow to only 30 feet in height. The native habitat of this pine is on the eastern ridges of the Rocky Mountains extending south from Wyoming to New Mexico.

Western Juniper tree, another long lived tree, up to 1,500 years old

Western juniper occurs in Oregon, Idaho, California, Washington, and Nevada at altitudes of 800-3,000 m. The shoots are 1-1.5 mm in diameter. The leaves are arranged in opposite decussate pairs or whorls of three; the adult leaves are scale-like and 1-2 mm long (to 5 mm on lead shoots) and 1-1.5 mm broad.

Big Tooth Maple, Big tooth maple is a beautiful upright to spreading tree to 50 feet

Found most commonly in mountain washes and on steep creek sides. The Big tooth Maple has, simple and palmately veined leaves, 2 to 3 1/2 inches long and wide, 3 to 5 lobed, a few widely spaced rounded teeth, green above, lighter below with some fuzz.

The Black Cottonwood tree is very fast growing, reaching about 40 metres

Black cottonwood trees have triangular or heart-shaped leaves. The trunk becomes grey and has deep grooves when it gets older. They rarely get older than 200 years. Mopst commonly found in we areas, usually at low elevations.

For a full guide to tree identification in this area, I recommend this guide.

Trees Of The Rocky Mountains & Intermountain West (Trees of the Us)

Tree leaf identification South Western Region

2007-09-12T14:56:00.000+01:00

Tree leaf identification in the South Western region of North America, the sheer number and variety of North American trees can make identification a daunting task.

The Joshua tree which is native to the south western United States.

Range
Mojave Desert of extreme southwest California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, at elevations from 2,000 to 6,000 feet.

Habitat
Dry soils on plains, slopes and mesas, often growing in groves.

Flowers
Bell-shaped, 1.25 to 1.5 inches with 6 creamy, yellow-green sepals. Crowded into 12 to 18 inch, many-branched clusters with an unpleasant odor, mostly in the spring. Not all trees flower annually.

Desert Apricot, occurs in Riverside and San Diego counties, California, a good place to find the tree is, strangely, Plum Canyon.

Leaf:Alternate, simple, cordate to nearly round, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long, finely crenate, shiny green above and below.
Flower:Small (1/2 to 1 inch across), with 5 white petals, long filaments, yellowish to red centers, occurring in clusters of 1 to 10, appear in early spring with the leaves.
Fruit:Drupe, round to egg-shaped, creased on one side, 1/2 inch across, fuzzy, dry pulp, yellow-green when it ripens in summer.
Twig:Slender, short, shiny reddish brown, most are quite stiff and end in a spine, spurs present, buds small.
Bark:Reddish brown, smooth some short horizontal lenticels, turning grayer with age.
A multi-stemmed, thorny shrub or small tree with a spreading crown, reaches up to 15 feet in height.

The Arizona oak is among the largest of the southwestern oaks.

It has a rounded crown with wood that is hard and difficult to split. The "evergreen" leaves are dropped before the new leaves emerge. Leaves are broadly oval and the upper surfaces bluish green. The undersides of this oak's leaves are permanently and densely matted with short, fuzzy, light brown hairs. The insides of the acorn cups are also fuzzy.

I found this useful guide for tree leaf identification in South Western USA.

Trees Of The American Southwest (Trees of the Us)

Tree leaf identification events coming up

2007-09-12T14:09:00.000+01:00

A quick notification of a couple of tree leaf identification events, I have noticed.

The first is Located in Millcreek Township in Erie County, PA at Asbury Woods, which is a 200-acre tract of wetlands, trails, forests, streams, fields and historic properties.

Date: Saturday, October 6

Time: 10:00 am - Noon

Ages: Adults & Children 8 years and up accompanied by an adult

Location: Nature Center

Fee: Members $10, Nonmembers $12/Parent/Child pair pay only one fee (includes Tree ID book & Tree Key) This class is for anyone who wants to know how to identify trees, or those who are doing a leaf project for school. You will learn how to identify trees by using a tree key, by leaf shape, and even by the bark.

Pre-Registration and Payment Required.

Asbury Woods
4105 Asbury Road
Erie, PA 16506
(814) 835-5356

for more information.

The second is

WYKOFF, Minn. -- Forest wildlife and native tree identification workshops are planned Sept. 15 in the Forestville State Park Nature Center located about 6 miles south of Wykoff.

The Forest Wildlife Class runs from 9 a.m.-noon and the Native Tree Identification Class runs from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Forest wildlife participants will learn from a local wildlife expert about how to attract native wildlife to their property by managing a variety of plant and animal species.

The native tree session offers information about common tree species in southeastern Minnesota.

The cost is $20 per class and $5 for lunch. For more information or to register, call (507) 536-6310.

Also on 15th September, this time in North Carolina Join the rangers for educational interpretive programs. Easy one-mile hike focusing on tree identification. 10 a.m .

South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains State Park Ave., Connelly Springs. 828-433-4772.

If you are aware of any upcoming tree identification walsk or trails, be sure to add it to teh comments section.

Tree Leaf Identification Eastern Region

2007-09-10T11:19:00.001+01:00

Specifically looking at tree leaf identification in the Easter Region of the North America, there are over 350 different Species.

Many of these trees are indigenous, though some have been introduced from other continents.

When aiming to identify a tree, it is often helpful to have more than just the leaf to look at, notes on leaf characteristics, bark characteristics, size, form, habitat, seeds, flowers etc. will all help in the identification process.

During fall, there are some stunning places, from where you can see the leaves turning to their fall colors.

People flock to the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, as one such location. From an elevated view, it is possible to see the mountains and valleys that make up the Southern Highlands and capture a truly memorable view.

From late September, Dogwood begins to turn deep red.

Alternate-leaved Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)

Fairly common large shrub or small tree found primarily in the Mountains in North Carolina, rare in the Piedmont. Appropriately enough, it differs from other species of Cornus in having alternate leaves - all our other species are opposite-leaved. The leaf venation and flowers are similar to other dogwoods

Hickories follow with a bright yellow

Shellbark Hickory is very rare in North Carolina

The leaves are distictively large (over a foot long), normally with 7-9 leaflets. The nuts are very large, as you might guess from another of its common names: Kingnut.

with red maples adding more red to the scene.

One of our most common and familiar trees throughout North Carolina

Sassafras become a brilliant orange

Leaves deciduous, simple, petiolate, alternate, 6–15(–18) cm long, (2–)5–10 cm wide, obovate or oval or ovate, leaf margins entire, unlobed or shallowly lobed or moderately lobed or deeply lobed, palmately lobed, leaf lobes 1–3(–5) per leaf, leaf apices acute or obtuse, leaf bases cuneate. Leaf upper surface green, glabrous or glabrate. Leaf lower surface green, glabrous or glabrate or pubescent. Leaf venation palmate or pinnate. Petioles 1.9–3.8 cm long. Stipules absent.

and Oaks finish off the fall as they turn through red and brown.

Chestnut Oak

is a dominant tree of rocky hilltops and mountains in the Piedmont and Mountain regions of North Carolina.The leaves are evenly and bluntly toothed

With extensive Appalachian conifers maintaining a green backdrop all year round.

For more information on tree leaf identification in the Eastern Region of North America, this is a great guide

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region (Eastern)