Forestry/Leaf Types

Leaf Types is a subtopic of Forestry.

Leaves are parts of trees that help in the process of photosynthesis. Leaves come in many shapes, sizes, and arrangements. Different trees have different types of leaves.

Leaves can be needlelike, scalelike, or broad. If they are broad, they can be simple or compound.

Simple Leaves
Simple leaves are undivided leaves. There are two main types of simple leaves - opposite and alternate.



Opposite leaves are when two leaves meet at the same point on the branch. Alternate leaves are when the direction of the leaves alternate. See the diagrams above.

Compound Leaves
=Leaf Shapes= Leaves can also be divided into several shapes, the most common being elliptical, ovate, obovate, lanceolate, and linear.



In Ovate leaves, the leaf takes the shape of an oval, with the broader end being near the base at the petiole. Examples include

In Obovate leaves, the leaf also takes the shape of an oval, however, the broader end is away from the petiole.