learn to identify trees

I think I have elms down. Leaves and seeds are pretty identifiable, although there is a chance I could mistake any serrated leaf for an elm.

This is proving to be really rewarding! So far, I’ve identified three trees growing in the college grounds: two oaks (of slightly different species), and a birch (silver, possibly, although once again of slightly indeterminate species).

Birches have alternate leaves, with serrate edges, and produce grey catkins in the winter that become green in spring.

Ever since my first trip to the tropics I’ve wondered about these trees. Finally I know they are monkey pod trees. Beautiful!

I live near the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Park in Kaneohe. I love to go there and wander around looking at the plants and trees. I know most of them by name, though many are not native to Hawaii. Tropical plants have always been interesting to me. I think I missed my calling. I should have been a botanist.

Wonderful thing to know! There are so many trees and plants that I can identify, but I must know more!!

When to the arboritum this weekend to see the fall colors. Wonderful. I’m in love with the arboritum.
I didn’t learn anything new, at least not to the point of memorization. But I did pick up a few things and get some practice and saw some really amazing colors.

I’ve been mistakenly thinking that most pines are ponderosas. Turns out there are very few in my area. But I did see a ton in the Sierra Nevadas.
Ponderosa pines are easily identified by their bark. Turtle-shell patterns from a distance and little puzzle piece shaped flakes. They also smell kind of like vanilla and their needles are in 3s.

Other pine varieties are more difficult to identify.

There is also a giant sequoia in the background of this photo. I’m pretty sure I can spot those too, although that isn’t really difficult when the tree is 200 ft tall at 20 ft in diameter!

I’m confident to say that I can now identify

• Douglas Fir cones (although I haven’t got the needle characteristics memorized)
• Larch, both close up and from a distance

I want to be able to say:

Hey, that’s a birch over there!

While camping the last few days, I’ve identify a lot of trees and have learned a lot more about maples, oaks, spruce, and such. Its been easier than I thought so i don’t think I’ll focus to much more on this since I’ve picked it up so quick!