Learning different Trees

[gazf]

Hi guys im having abit of trouble, Im trying to get round an easyer way of learning the different trees and their latin names if i can learn the latin names too that will be a bonus.

 

Has anyone got a good way of learning and remembering the trees that we all see and maybe work one no and again.

 

The problem for me is that i dont work on the trees fulltime im only working for a mates b company on a weekend

So for me its harder as im not around trees all the time

 

Thanks

Gaz

[Mac McLennan]

I made up cards.....

 

Photo on one side and latin name on the other.

[Andy Collins]

learn a few at a time, dont try and cram too many, as it gets confusing. Try and relate the name to something you can remember it by, asociation, ie Acer campestre, Field maple.... camp in fields. Well it worked for me!!

[Tree cutter Stu]

defo learn like 2 or 3 a week if you can or make cards up. Its a bit harder if your at college and have to learn 10 a week like i did.

[Blakes 7]

Look up how the latin name has been derived. Aesculus x carnea - carnea means red , Red horsechestnut.

It all helps you to remember both names.

Ilex aquifolium - wavy leaves (aqui- water derived, waves. folium - foliage) Describes holy leaves perfectly.

[Will Hinchliffe]

Go for a walk and take your tree ID book. Identify any tree you dont know. Try and find characteristics that give you a really positive ID.

[chestnut]

i struggle to remember latin names - but if i know the common name - i can always look up the latin name later

 

i think it's essential to be able to id trees that have no life in them or foliage - so take pics of the bark and take notes of the growing habit / shape - even defects or fungi - and research them later - i always seem to remember the ones that pose an id challenge

[Rich Rule]

when i did my tree ident whilst at college it was winter. Had to learn everything off bark and buds! Was knackered when they came into leaf:001_tongue:

[Giles Hill]

Look up how the latin name has been derived. Aesculus x carnea - carnea means red , Red horsechestnut.

It all helps you to remember both names.

Ilex aquifolium - wavy leaves (aqui- water derived, waves. folium - foliage) Describes holy leaves perfectly.

 

I may be pedantic but I thought...

 

The aqui bit of aquifolium meant eagle and it refers to the likeness between the curved prickles on a holly leaf and an eagles claw.

 

Learning their meaning is a good way to go as has been said before: Horse chestnut... Aesulus hippocastanum.

I think hippo is horse and hippopotomas is water horse.

 

I like the way that once you've learnt a few, they start referencing one another (as well as animals etc), which makes it all easier...

 

Aesculus hippocastanum and Castanea sativa - horse and sweet chestnut

 

and the cop out...

 

Platanus acerifolia - Basically the Plane that has foliage like an Acer

 

Acer platanoides - The acer that looks like a plane

 

Acer pseudoplatanus - The false plane

 

To remember them in the first place, I found word association was the best way to go to start with - the more childish the better:

 

Gay trees - Fagus and Quercus

 

Crataegus rhymes with contagious - monogyna sounds a bit like...

 

It probably helps if you were bought up on Beavis & Butthead.

 

Pubescens. (snigger snigger)

[gazf]

Thanks for that guys ill try those ideas out,

What i think i might try is make id cards using pictures of trees that ive taken and put the info and latin names on the back. Using then i can test mayself by trying to name them by looking at the picture before turning the card over

 

Thanks

Gaz