VII. The Names of Trees 



In the average Eastern region there are about one hundred 

 species of native trees and shrubs. In addition to these native 

 species there are a large number of introduced and cultivated 

 trees .and shrubs, that do not ordinarily occur in the native 

 woods. In studying the kinds of trees, the first step is to be- 

 gin a local tree-list, an inventory of the trees of your region. 

 The second step is to recognize the larger tree groups 

 ashes, maples, willows, oaks, etc. Some species of trees are 

 much easier to identify than others, ex. tulip-tree. Leave the 

 difficult groups, ex. willows, oaks, until the last. Learning 

 the name of a tree is but the introduction to its life. Common 

 names are frequently not distinctive, and in such cases it is 

 well to learn the scientific name, or at least the genus. 



Suggestions for individual work: 



1. Make a list of the common trees of your locality. What kinds 

 occur on your school grounds ? 



2. Observe throughout the seasons the changes in a single tree, ex. 

 chestnut, sugar maple. This date can be tabulated in a tree " calendar." 



3. Collect and identify the sprays of three conifers, or three ashes, or 

 three hickories, or three oaks, or three maples. 



4. Compare carefully the fruits of the tulip-tree and the cucumber 

 tree. What are the similarities ? To what family do these trees belong ? 



5. Collect the fruits of several related trees, ex. oaks, maples, hickories. 

 Can you identify the species by the fruit? 



6. Specimens of fossiliferous rock, showing leaf-prints. What was 

 the " Carboniferous forest " ? See any standard geology. 



7. Examine carefully, by feeling, the bark of five trees, ex. butternut, 

 shagbark, tulip-tree, yellow birch, beech. Could you recognize these 

 with your eyes shut, guided by touch alone? 



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