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One of the first courses that a forester takes in
school is dendrology, the study of tree, shrub, and vine taxonomy. Sound
easy, smartypants? Try identifying trees in the winter time when you have
nothing to look at but a bare twig and bark.
We challenge you to take this little quiz to test your dendrology skill.
Don't be intimidated. We won't ask you to identify bare twigs (yet) and we've
even been so kind as to provide some clues.
1. Despite the intimidating appearance of this tree, a thornless variety was
cultivated for use as an ornamental. This tree is named for the sweet but
spicy pulp found inside its edible pods.
· A. sugar maple B. honeylocust C. sweetgum
2. While you may use this tree for turpentine, lumber, pulpwood, plywood, and
poles, American Indians used it as a component of their bread recipe. Its
cones can be used for decorative purposes but can also cause great anguish to
unwary, barefooted people.
· A. loblolly pine B. bastard pine C.
bristlecone pine
3. This common ornamental tree is native to China
but has escaped cultivation in the U.S.
Its showy, pink flowers make it a desirable landscaping tree, but it is often
afflicted with root diseases and is relatively short-lived.
· A. tuliptree B. mimosa C. fringetree
4. This tree is famous for its knees which are often revealed in shallow
water areas. Its heartwood is decay resistant, and is often used in making
boats and wood duck boxes.
· A. weeping willow B. tree-of-heaven C.
baldcypress
5. This vine may be responsible for many drunken evenings in small East
Texas towns. The distinctively flavored fruits are used in
making wine and jellies or can be eaten raw.
· A. muscadine grape B. wisteria C. Alabama
supplejack
6. Indians crushed the leaves of this vine to treat ringworm, however most
people see this plant as the cause of a skin affliction rather than a cure.
Toxic oils in the stem and leaves can produce a severe rash on those not
familiar with the saying "leaves of three, let it be". Its milky
sap stains black and is occasionally used for making varnish.
· A. poison-ivy B. poison sumac C. peppervine
7. Another brutal plant that inflicts great stinging and pain upon careless
folks. The stinging can be temporarily squelched by a method that we'd rather
not talk about on the internet. We hear that the boiled leaves make a tasty
dish, but we have yet to find a forester brave enough to test that theory.
· A. poison oak B. devil's walking-stick C.
bull nettle
8. The attractive fruit of this plant is edible but not at all tasty to humans.
However, birds and small mammals find the fruit palatable and deer feed
frequently on the leaves.
· A. partridge pea B. American beautyberry C.
paw-paw
9. Indians considered this plant a medicinal cure-all. Tea made from the
scented roots contains an oil that can serve as a pain reliever, stimulant,
and diuretic. Gumbo file' is made from the uniquely-shaped, sweet-scented
leaves.
· A. waxmyrtle B. sweetleaf C. sassafras
10. This shrub is in the holly family and produces characteristic red
berries. Indians used the leaves in a "purification" concoction,
resulting in its aptly descriptive scientific name, Ilex vomitoria.
· A. yaupon B. American holly C. sugarberry
Whew, you're finished!
If you didn't get any right:
You need immediate help, call the Forest Resources dendrology hotline
immediately. We hope you are better at identifying poisonous snakes.
If you got 1-3 correct:
Pat Sajak would say that he had some nice parting gifts for you.
If you got 4 or 5 correct:
You deserve a pat on the back, but according to my professors, even 50% is
still an F.
If you got from 6-8 correct:
Not too shabby. Perhaps you should consider forestry school to fine-tune your
skills.
If you got 9 or 10 correct:
This quiz must have been way too easy. Maybe you should design the next one.
If you missed poison-ivy or bull nettle:
You shouldn't go out in the woods without a first aid kit and a Forest
Resources forester holding your hand.
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