Leaf ID Notes

1. Leaf ID Notes 5.13.08

2. Sample #1 • Very common in AK (dominant tree in interior) • Needles exit twig singly • Needles ~ 1/2” long • Needles prickly • Burns well

3. #1 - White Spruce

4. Sample #2 • Found where soils are wet or on permafrost • Grows very slowly • Needles exit singly • Needles very short • Burns extremely well - fast and hot

5. #2 - Black Spruce

6. Sample #3 • Native to the interior of AK (not here) • Needled, but deciduous • Found in cold, wet soils or on permafrost • Needles exit in bundles of 10-12 • Burn moderately well, not like spruce

7. #3 - Larch

8. Sample #4 • Moose’s favorite food • One of first to return after fire • Leaf twice as long as wide • Very short leafstalk • Edges wavy • Alternate leaf arrangement - exit stalk left, right, left, etc.

9. #4 - Willow

10. Sample #5 • Leaves almost round w/point on end • Leafstalks are flattened and long - (causes them to catch wind and shake) • Small, curved teeth on leaf margin • Burns slowly - ground fire more common

11. #5 - Quaking Aspen

12. Sample #6 • Also one of first to return after fire • Leaf stalks short • Leaves dark green • Edges have VERY sharp teeth forming little peninsulas called LOBES

13. #6 - Alder

14. Sample #7 • Not native to Southcentral (native to SE), but introduced • Needles LONG • Needles exit in bundles of 2-3 • Very commonly planted here

15. #7 - Lodgepole Pine

16. Sample #8 • Dominant deciduous tree in Southcentral AK • Leaf about 1.5x as long as it is wide • Small jagged teeth on leaf edge • Shorter leafstalk than aspen • Burns slowly - ground fire common

17. #8 - Birch

18. Sample #9 • Not native to AK, but introduced • 3 lobes on leaf • Each lobe VERY jagged • Symbol on Canadian flag • Very long leafstalk

19. #9 - Maple

20. Sample #10 • One of tallest trees in Southcentral AK • VERY wet wood, almost never burns • Leave 2x long as wide • Short leafstalk • Very small teeth on leaf edge • Causes terrible allergies for some

21. #10 - Cottonwood