How to identify a sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) | TREE ID #8

My tips for tree identification

RECOMMENDED FIELD GUIDES
-Trees of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada, by William M. Harlow
-The Tree Identification Book, by George W.D. Symonds

LEAF ARRANGEMENT
-Alternate: leaves grow one and then the other along the direction of growth
-Opposite: leaves grow immediately across from each other, e.g. families, Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Buckeye (“MADBuck”)
-Whorled: leaves radiate out from stem or branch at a single point, e.g. Catalpa
-Hint: the growth pattern shows up with twigs, too

LEAF SHAPE
-Needles (pines) or broad leaves (maples)
-Are leaves simple (cherry) or compound (ash)
-Leaf edges can be smooth, serrate, and/or lobed

FLOWERS, FRUITS, SEED
-Sketch seasonal growths on the tree such as clusters of male flowers (catkins), cones, and seeds with wings (samaras)

BARK
-Note color and texture, but be aware that these traits can change with age
-Using only bark for tree identification can prove unreliable

WHY IS TREE ID IMPORTANT?
-Knowing which trees are growing on a site can tell us about the soil, climate and other environmental conditions there.
-Certain trees make good lumber, paper, medicines, and food that people need.
-Some animals depend on particular trees for food or shelter.
-Certain plants and mushrooms in a forest may grow best when near other types of trees.
-Sometimes trees from other areas become invasive and need to be removed.

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All opinions or views expressed are my own.

Creator: Martin J. Calabrese
#naturalistMarty #VirtualHikes

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