2A. Margin toothed or serrated…..go to 4
2B. Margin smooth or lobed…..go to 5
Leaf 2:
4A. Leaves opposite: go to 6
4B. Leaves alternate: go to 7
Leaf 3:
5A. Leaves pinnately compound: go to 8
5B. Leaves palmately compound: go to 9
Leaf 4:
6A. Leaf shape oval or elliptical: maple tree
6B. Leaf shape long and narrow: willow tree
Leaf 5:
7A. Leaf shape heart-shaped: redbud tree
7B. Leaf shape rounded: magnolia tree
Leaf 6:
8A. Leaflets in pairs: ash tree
8B. Leaflets in threes: boxelder tree
Leaf 7:
9A. Leaflets with toothed edges: hickory tree
9B. Leaflets with smooth edges: buckeye tree
Dichotomous Key
1a. Needle leaves: go to step 2
1b. Non-needles leaves: go to step 3
2a. Needles are grouped in clusters: pine tree
2b. Needles are individually arranged: spruce tree
3a. Simple (individual) leaves: go to step 4
3b. Compound leaves (leaflets): go to step 5
4a. Leaf edge is smooth and lobed: oak tree
4b. Left edge is rough and tooth-like: elm tree
5a. Leaflets are attached at one point: chestnut tree
5b. Leaflets are attached at many points: walnut tree
1A. Veins branch off the main vein in the middle…..go to 3
1B. Veins branch off of one central point…..go to 2
Leaf 1:
1 answer