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Looking for easy to use tree guide or app
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Have you ever typed out a long post, only to do something and have it all gone? That is what happened to me last night, so I am attempting to do this over again. 🙂
In attempt to do more nature study last week, I gave the kids and I a seemingly simple assignment to go down our street and identify all the trees on our side of the street (about 7-8 houses). Easy enough, right? For me, not so much. This is not the first time I take our trusted little tree gude out, only to stand there thumbing through the pages in utter frustration b/c I can’t really identify what tree I am looking at. (I am hoping I am not the only one on here who has experienced similar frustrations in nature study). Please help me find a tree guide, app, whatever that will be easy enough for us to identify trees, so that we actually do it. I want nature study to be a part of our lives, but when it is met w/ frustration and we are still left wondering, I’m tempted to opt out.
What do you all love that helps you identify trees? Thanks in advance!
I’ve used this site for wildflowers, but they seem to have tree identification, too.
I don’t know the name of the book/guide, but my friend has one that is pretty simple. It looks at the leaves and is a chart (blanking on the name of it) where you work your way down the line answering yes or no questions until you eventually get to the type of tree that it is. I cheat… I just take a picture or call her and describe it and usually she is able to tell me. She’s my go to person for plants since that’s what her degree is in… I emailed her to get the name of it.
I found a little gem last summer at a local aquarium. It’s called the Pacific Coast Tree Finder, but the company has other books depending upon your geographic location. I’m having trouble linking to the book on Amazon, but just search the title and you can flip through it and see if it’s what you’re looking for.
I think the company that originally produced the books was sold, however you can find the other guides published at http://www.MenashaRidge.com and search nsg in the side search box. I’m sure they have them on Amazon too, but it’s easier to search the guides on this website so you can see what is available. They are affordable and very basic, but we’ve used it a number of times and it’s been very helpful. I need to buy one to put in our trailer tool.
Hope this helps you!
Keep in mind that if you live in a city or suburban area the trees on your street may not be in a field guide. Often, the trees planted along roads and in yards are more ornamental than the trees you would find growing wild. You may find it easier to identify them by taking a picture to a local plant nursery to have it identified, or looking in a plant catalog.
A tree key can be more useful in identifying trees than a field guide because it will step you through a series of questions narrowing down the possibilities. However, it is necessary to learn some vocabulary so you understand what the question is asking. A good key will explain the vocabulary and have diagrams. Sometimes it is necessary to have more than the leaves to identify the tree. The flowers and fruit are also clues to properly identify a tree.
Two possible tree keys for you:
This one is cheap and pocket-sized. http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Finder-Manual-Identification-Eastern/dp/0912550015/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412296337&sr=1-1&keywords=tree+identification+key
This one is a bit more expensive and is a large-size book. It uses clear, black and white photos to help you identify trees. http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Identification-Book-Practical-Recognition/dp/0688050395/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412296337&sr=1-2&keywords=tree+identification+key
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