Identifying Trees Guide PDF

STAGE 6 Unit focus: Classification Text focus: Information Text A Guide To Identifying Trees Trees are vital to the health of our planet and also do wonders for human health and well-being and...

STAGE 6 Unit focus: Classification Text focus: Information Text A Guide To Identifying Trees Trees are vital to the health of our planet and also do wonders for human health and well-being and yet, many people struggle to tell a birch from a beech or an alder from an elder. There are many thousands of species of trees but with a li le know-how, it is possible to learn how to identify some of the main trees that are found in Britain and properly get to know our beautiful friends. Step 1: Examine the leaves or needles Where they are visible, these provide a great deal of information to help with tree identification and there are many guides or classification trees to help you sort your leaves into different species. The first question to ask is whether the tree has leaves which resemble needles or scales or whether they have broad leaves. Trees which have needles or scales are likely to be a type of conifer and another clue will be that these trees are evergreen: they retain their foliage all year round. The exception to this rule is the larch tree which sheds its needles annually. To further differentiate each species, look more closely at the needles. The needles of pine trees grow in clusters of two, three or five whereas the needles of cedars and larches form bigger clusters of between 10 and 45. Fir and yew tree needles a ach straight to the branch but yew needles can be identified because they are fla er and are positioned in rows. Broadleaf trees are also identifiable by their leaves, but, unlike most conifers, they are deciduous and thus lose their leaves every winter. Broadleaf trees can have simple leaves where each leaf a aches directly to a twig and is not subdivided or compound leaves where each leaf has many leaflets a aching to middle vein. Compound leaves can be arranged like the fingers of a hand (like a horse chestnut) or in rows (like ash or elder trees). Leaf shape is a good indicator of species: look closely at whether they are oval, lobed, heart-shaped or long and thin. Oak trees, a favourite of the British landscape, have leaves with rounded lobes; the maple has pointed lobes. Lime trees, meanwhile, can be spo ed by their heart-shaped leaves. Looking at the leaf edge and whether it is smooth or serrated will also help identification. all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com Step 2: Look at the bark Different trees have different coloured and textured bark. Oak, ash and larch trees develop deep vertical grooves and fissures in their bark as they age. Pine trees also develop grooves but these are shaped like interlocking plates. Beech trees on the other hand have smooth grey bark and birch and cherry trees have horizontal markings on their bark. Step 3: Hunt for fruits or seeds It wouldn’t be autumn without collecting conkers but did you know that these are the seeds of the horse chestnut tree? Meanwhile, acorns help to identify oak trees and cones indicate that the tree is a conifer. The shape and position of the cones helps to tell each species apart: pine cones hang beneath the branch whereas fir and cedar cones sit upright. Finally, if you have ever observed the ‘helicopter’ seeds spinning and twirling as they fall from the tree, you are likely to have been stood beneath a maple, ash or sycamore tree. VOCABULARY FOCUS 1. Which word in the section on leaves is closest in meaning to ‘look like’? 2. What is foliage? 3. What word means the same as ‘yearly’? 4. What does serrated mean? 5. What is a fissure? VIPERS QUESTIONS R What is unusual about the larch tree? E The needles of pine trees grow in clusters of two, three or five whereas the needles of cedars and larches form bigger clusters of between 10 and 45. Which word does the writer use to indicate a contrast? R Which tree has heart-shaped leaves? S Summarise the clues which would help when identifying an oak tree. I Why might you need to use different clues when identifying trees at different times of year? all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com