In this lab you will apply the information you learned in the field last lab to identifying specimens in the lab. You will be presented with 10 winter twigs and 5 conifers that you will need to identify. You will be able to use the dicotomous key found from 213 to 218 and you will identify genus and specie of each twig. Also, you may find the interactive key at http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/twigkey/key1.htm useful. Note that if you have access to it, you can use any good Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs such as the Peterson Field Guide Series form Houhton Mifflin Publishing Co. In your lab book, look at pages 213 to 216 to see the Key to Deciduous Trees in their winter condition (woody twigs) and then 216 to 218 to see the key for conifers. Note that the key is a dicotomous (2 parts) key giving information for identifying specific deciduous (part 1) or conifer (part 2) we are seeking to identify. Note that sometimes you will be able to identify the Genus, but will not be able to narrow it down to the specific specie. In that case you give the Genus, and list spp. which means specific specie unknown.
At the end of this lab the successful student will be able to
Upon entering the lab, the student finds the lab table with twigs laid out
for the lab.
Here is an example of what is done in the lab. A student has identified
twig 4
from the table and made the appropriate entry into his lab notebook.
Note the top line shows common and scientific name (Genus specie).
Note the next two lines list the characteristics of the twig that the student
used on the dicotomous key to identify the winter twig (page 214 toward the
bottom) and that below that the student makes a diagram of the twig. When
you do this lab, you should do the same thing in YOUR lab notebook, except that
you will need to use the image of the twig where the students in this lab
actually had twigs that they could handle.
For the rest of this lab, we will show you the twig and help you identify the characteristics you will use to apply the key. Then you should try to identify the Genus and specie by using your dicotomous key and checking the twig in the next objective to see if you have identified it correctly. (Did you notice that the Genus is always started with a capital letter and the specie is always lower case?)
and in a student's notebook:
Note the characteristics:
and in a student's notebook:
Note the characteristics:
and in a student's notebook:
Note the characteristics:
and in a student's notebook:
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
and in a student's notebook
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
(213, 8b) common name Birch. Betula spp.
(214, 7b), common name Sycamore. Platanus spp.
( Not in lab key... see field trip to identify), common name weeping willow. Salix babylonica
(216, 40b), Common name Maple. Acer spp.
(214, 19a), common name locust. Gleditsia spp.
(214, 20a), common name sumac. Rhus typhyna
(214, 16b), common name cherry. Prunus spp.
(215, 24a), Common name Red oak. Quercus rubra
(214, 14A), Common Name Black Walnut. Juglans nigra
(215, 30b), Common Name Sassafras. Sassafras spp.Here is a table with the conifer twigs for the students to identify
Note the characteristics:Common name Concolor Fir. Abies concolor
Note the characteristics:
Note
the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:
Note the characteristics:Last modified:
October 08, 2004 by
Cynthia Herbrandson 
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