Tree Identification Terms

Front 1

leaves that are staggered or not placed directly across from each other on a twig

Back 1

alternate leaves

Front 2

also known as "catkins," these are unisexual flowers of some trees - clumped together and looking like large buds.

Back 2

ament

Front 3

any form of sharp structures on a plant, including thorns, spines, and prickles

Back 3

armaments

Front 4

buds developed along the side of a twig - also known as lateral buds

Back 4

axillary buds

Front 5

these contain the small beginnings of the next season's twigs and leaves - located above each leaf scar - many are protected by scales

Back 5

buds

Front 6

the marks remaining after bud scales drop in spring

Back 6

bud scars

Front 7

the flat part of a leaf or leaflet, characteristic of deciduous trees

Back 7

blade

Front 8

a tree with leaves that are flat and thin and generally shed annually

Back 8

broadleaf

Front 9

also known as "aments," these are unisexual flowers of some trees - clumped together and looking like large buds.

Back 9

catkins

Front 10

a leaf with more than one blade - all blades are attached to a single leafstem

Back 10

compound leaf

Front 11

cone-bearing tree

Back 11

conifer

Front 12

sheds all leaves annually

Back 12

deciduous

Front 13

heart-shaped - often refers to that particular style of leaf base

Back 13

cordate

Front 14

a leaf margin with smooth, untoothed edges

Back 14

entire (or entire margin)

Front 15

buds which terminate a twig - also called terminal buds

Back 15

end buds

Front 16

trees with needles or leaves that remain alive and on the tree through the winter and into the next growing season

Back 16

evergreen

Front 17

mature ovary of a flower - such as apples, pears, nuts, and the dry samaras of maples and ashes

Back 17

fruit

Front 18

hairless, not pubescent

Back 18

glabrous

Front 19

covered with a white, waxy material. - often dislodged or worn away in age

Back 19

glaucous

Front 20

the mark left on a twig where the leaf was previously attached

Back 20

leaf scar

Front 21

buds with no external protective scales

Back 21

naked buds

Front 22

projections that shape a leaf

Back 22

lobes

Front 23

the edge of a leaf

Back 23

margin

Front 24

the primary or central vein of a leaf

Back 24

midrib

Front 25

two leaves attached to the twig directly across from one another

Back 25

opposite leaves

Front 26

a type of compound leaf in which the leaflets are attached to a common point

Back 26

palmate

Front 27

a type of compound leaf in which the leaflets are attached along both sides of an elongated central axis (like a feather)

Back 27

pinnate

Front 28

the central portion of a branch, formed in the first year of growth

Back 28

pith

Front 29

the leafstalk that connects the blade(s) to the twig

Back 29

petiole

Front 30

a covering of hairs

Back 30

pubescent

Front 31

winged fruit - some are single and some are double-winged

Back 31

samara

Front 32

has a single, undivided blade - may or may not be lobed

Back 32

simple leaf

Front 33

indentation between lobes on a leaf

Back 33

sinus

Front 34

short, stubby, often sharp branches

Back 34

spurs (or spur branches)

Front 35

green, leaf-like structures. attached to the twigs in pairs, one at each side of the base of a petiole

Back 35

stipule

Front 36

buds which terminate a twig (also called end buds)

Back 36

terminal buds

Front 37

a sharp structure on a plant - tends to be large and stout, often noticeably broader at the base

Back 37

thorn

Front 38

notches on the outer ege (margin) of a leaf

Back 38

teeth

Front 39

a term applied to buds with two identical, opposite scales lacking obvious overlap

Back 39

valvate

Front 40

teeth that have teeth on them

Back 40

doubly toothed