Trees of Virginia
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Transcript of Trees of Virginia
Trees of Virginia
IntroductionTrees are a renewable resourceNumerous environmental, economic, and
cultural benefitsImprove our quality of life
What trees doModerate our climateProvide clean waterProvide fresh airHomes for wildlifeBeautyRecreationProvide jobs, wood productsQuiet places to observe nature
Forests constantly changeSwift change
FireIce WindTimber harvest
Forests also change slowlySuccessionClimate change
Virginia ForestsHardwood forest covers over 20% of the total
forest of VAIf left undisturbed, most if not all of VA would
be forestedWe have at least 3 tree harvests in most
areasOnly a few remote areas still have virgin
forestPines are mostly pioneer species
Tree Identification 101Trees can be identified in a variety of ways
Parts, types and position of leavesShape of leavesTypes of budsTypes of leaf marginsTypes of flowersTypes of fruits
Conifers aka GymnospermsHave needles not leavesPhotosynthesize all year longAre very flexible to withstand heavy snowfall
Deciduous treesLose leaves in fallGo dormant during the winterActively grow spring, summer, fallAdaptations for life in the temperate zone
Simple versus compound
Pinnate versus palmate
Opposite versus alternate
Smooth versus toothed margins
Identify common trees at BRHSFor each tree use the tree guides Cut out the tree picture and paste it in your
nature journalIdentify the tree by its common nameIdentify the tree by its common nameIdentify its habitatHeight at maturityOne interesting fact about the tree
Green Ash
Eastern red cedar
Red bud
Red mulberry
Eastern white pine
Black locust
Sweet gum
Red maple
Sugar maple
Pin oak