Tips for a beganner on trees

[Birchjohn]

Hey there!

 

Just started doing tree work in Feb this year and getting to grips with it all.

 

One major problem I am having at the moment is tree id.

and understanding the health of the tree like cracks in the treeline or seeing dead wood in the winter.

 

Has anyone got any tips?

[daveindales]

Look at the buds on branches. Some are opposite (ash, maple) etc. some are alternate ( oak, beech) etc. knowing which species are opposite and which are alternate is a simple guide to some species identification. For example, dogwood and willow.

[Andrew Gale]

A tree ID book would be a good place to start, make sure it's got good photos or very good drawings. There's also an ID book for winter just to add another dimension to your ID training.

 

Peter Thomas Trees: Their Natural History is very good, 2nd edition is available and the 1st edition is very good so I'd expect the 2nd to be just as good.

 

Anything by Mattheck would be a good addition too.

 

Try Treesource as a start for buying on line.

[devon TWiG]

Visit National Trust gardens and garden centres / nurseries etc the trees and shrubs are often labelled there !.

[Stephen Blair]

Big green ones, small green ones and that 1 over there has always served me well:)

 

 

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[Silverwood]

Big green ones, small green ones and that 1 over there has always served me well:)

 

 

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what about them skinny bloody prickly ones

[Stephen Blair]

That comes under the ' that 1 looks fine '

 

 

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[Fredward]

There is a good Mattheck book which is also availbe as an ipad app, Stupsi explains the tree, great start to understanding tree body language (cracks etc). As for I.D it's handy to go for a walk with someone knowledgeable in a park or national trust/rhs garden.