Botany 210 Tree identification assignment D. Haas
Each student will be required to identify those trees indicated by the instructor on a field trip.
The species should be listed on the list of campus plants provided. For some trees you will be
given the family name and need to do a search on Google to find out which species it is. For
others you will need to use the tree keys found at the sites listed below. You may use one or both
keys.
http://www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/tree/
http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/key/key1.htm
Make sure you give both the common name, scientific name (Genus or Genus and species when
present) AND the family in caps. Learn these names for a quiz later on in the course.
You will need to collect a few leaves and or branches or determine if leaves are opposite or
alternately attached etc. In addition you should look closely at the bark and keep notes as to
where you can find the tree if you should need to in the future. If you require help with any of
the terminology there is a help function with key 1. You must know some morphological terms
to correctly identify the trees.
The instructor will identify the trees the on the next class day. To receive credit for the
assignment you must show the instructor internet pages (with photos if possible) that you used to
identify the trees along with the leaves you collected. You do not have to get the names correct.
This must be done in person and in class for full credit. Credit will be bonus total points used to
calculate you grade.
Don’t forget the field trip assignment is due on the Quiz day. (The last page on the lab
handouts)
