Monday, March 6
The tree I chose to observe and identify was the Northern Red Oak.
To distinguish between a Northern Red Oak and one of its winter lookalikes(Cottonwood), I first observed the leaves. The leaves of a Northern Red Oak have pointed lobes that curve inward, while cottonwood leaves have more rounded lobes. Additionally, their leaves have a glossy surface, while cottonwood leaves have a duller surface with a slight fuzz.
Next, I looked at the bark of the tree. The bark of a red oak is rough and has deep furrows, while the bark of a cottonwood is smoother and has a lighter color.
Finally, I observed the overall shape of the tree. Northern red oaks have a more conical shape, with a narrower trunk and branches that grow upward. Cottonwoods, on the other hand, have a more rounded shape with a broader trunk and branches that grow outwards.
By carefully analyzing these characteristics, I was able to confidently identify the tree as a northern red oak.
