jaandlynn 10 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm an eagle scout (1986) and going to be a new scout leader. does anyone know a good tree id guide? i know the peterson's guides are out there but i'm looking for something mobile. i ran across TreeID and Northwoods field guides for the iPhone. Anyone know anything about them? Link to post Share on other sites
Hal_Crawford 15 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Field guides on the iPhone. Man do I feel old. I will be interested to hear what others say but you may end up educating us on this one. BTW: Welcome to the camp fire. Hal Link to post Share on other sites
SSScout 1615 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 "Master Tree Finder" by May Theilgaard Watts, pub. by Nature Study Guild c.1963, but I have seen a reprint more recently. Pocket size , literally 3" by 5". Organizes trees by leaf shape and size, then bark type. Lists by ecological niche, (swampy, uplands, etc.)too. Nice field guide for North American Trees. I also recommend the Arbor Day Foundation. www.arborday.org Online tree ID section. Link to post Share on other sites
nlorey 10 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 ^^ I second that version. It is in-depth enough for a good knowledge of trees and with the pocket size its very portable. Link to post Share on other sites
hot_foot_eagle 13 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Another option is tree sort cards. I got a set from Forestry Suppliers. The cards have holes punched in them for various tree and leaf characteristics. Take the deck and identify one feature, e.g.: simple vs. compound leaf. Poke a wire through the appropriate hole and shake the deck and the cards are sorted into two stacks - one of simple-leafed trees, one of compound-leafed. Repeat with another characteristic until you've eliminated all but one and that's your tree. In addition to being accurate, it's a fun learning tool for boys to use. Link to post Share on other sites
Twocubdad 665 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I prefer a more simple guide. If you can, find a guide specific to your region. Our state forestry service publishes a guide of common forest trees that is really good. It includes about 150 trees common to the area. It includes a drawing of the leaves, branch structure and fruit, if any, and a map showing the range of the tree. It also has a good description of all the other characteristics of the tree. I find the omnibus guides too much, especially when working with Scouts. I really don't need a book with all 87 subspecies of the Asian yarrow. Link to post Share on other sites
JoeBob 606 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I second TwoCub. Get regional guide. I grew up in Georgia and never saw a familiar tree in Washington. Link to post Share on other sites
jaandlynn 10 Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks all. FYI The TreeID app is pretty good, I'll look into cards, too. Link to post Share on other sites
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