Forestry

Overview

Forestry is a Division B and C event. The Forestry event specifically deals with identification of trees and general questions about them.

The Competition

At the competition, teams of two are given an answer sheet on which they record their identifications and their answers to the questions asked. Most commonly, the test is taken in a series of stations, of one to two minutes each, where participants are given a sample with which they can identify a particular tree (given on the tree list) and a series of questions about it. The samples may include images of or real leaves (most common), bark, wood, fruit, seeds, or any combination of those. After the tree is identified, the team writes down the scientific name (unless otherwise specified). A series of questions is asked about the sample which may include habitat, commercial uses, social aspects (ie; if it is a state tree), etc. Teams are allowed to bring in resources, including student-made notes and a guidebook, to aid in identification and questions. Teams that have the most correct answers on the test are declared the winner of the event. In case of tie, certain questions may be used as specific tiebreakers, rather than being counted among the main questions.

Tree List

The tree list varies from state to state, where local trees are tested upon rather than trees from another region of the country (for example, a cactus would not be asked on a Michigan test). At the national level, all trees may be asked. Minnesota 2005 Tree List

Georgia 2005 Tree List [1]

North Carolina 2005 Tree List

Examples of tree lists and differences between states.

2004 National Tree List

The National Tree List from 2005 is not readily available (If you have it, please put it in)

Resources

A team may bring in resources to the test to aid them in identification and answering questions. A combination of student developed notes and professional guides tend to have the best results. Participants should be familiar with their resources and be able to quickly find what they are looking for in order to take advantage of them. A good resource page about a specific tree should contain:

• Scientific name of specimen
• Common name of specimen
• Picture of specimen leaves, bark, wood, fruit, seeds, etc.
• Page number in a specific guide
• Habitat of specimen
• Commercial uses of specimen
• Any other facts about the specimen deemed important by the team

The most common professional guides to use are the National Audubon Society Field Guides and field guides specific to an area (such as a state).

Identification

There are several methods for quick identification of a specimen. There are two things to be considered before identifying: What sort of sample (leaf, bark, wood, fruit, or seed) do you have? What is the easiest way to identify using this sample?

If The Sample is a Leaf

If the sample is a leaf, the easiest catchall method of identification is leaf shape. Leaf shape can be broken down into a few, distinct families:

Conifer

• Needle-Like
• Scale-Like

Broadleaf

• Compound Leaves
  • Pinnate
  • Palmate
• Oak Shape
• Maple Shape
• Elm Shape
• Unique Shape

If the Sample is a Fruit

Fruits are unique to the species they come from. There may be similarities between fruits, but all are easily differentiated (for example, the Black Cherry, Prunus serotina, has fruits similar to the Chokecherry, Prunus virginiana, except that they are black when ripe). Most fruits come from trees with elm-shaped leaves.

If the Sample is Not a Leaf or Fruit

Many other samples are given alongside leaves, and few are given alone. If bark, wood, or seeds are given, there is probably something significant about that particular tree (for example, the Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera, has unique bark and a buckeye is a seed unique to the Ohio Buckeye, Aesculus glabra, so they may be given for identification)

Example of a Test Question

Question

Attach:http://www.lima.ohio-state.edu/trees/redbud.jpg ?

Identify this specimen.

1. What is the common name of this specimen?
2. What time of year does this species flower?
3. What is the main commercial use of this tree?

Answer

Cercis canadensis

1. (Eastern) Redbud
2. Spring
3. Ornamental