Help me find a Q/A-based tree identification guide.

May 10, 2007 8:52 AM

Please help me find a PDF or other free printable document that I can take with me to identify trees using a YES/NO question and answer format.

As a child, I recall receiving an nth generation photocopy of a 4-5 page guide for identifying deciduous and coniferous trees. What made this guide unique was that it walked you through a series of questions you could answer by looking at the tree, branches, and leaves. (Also, what do you call this identification method, a knowledge tree?)

It used the same approach used here (About.com) and here (Arbor Day Foundation), but those aren't presented in a way that can be printed. I also need it for this weekend, so the $3.00 ones the Arbor Day foundation sells won't get here in time.

I would guess that there is a PDF of something similar somewhere, but web searches yield nothing but sites like those linked here.

Any ideas?

posted by Pastabagel to science & nature (6 comments total)

I can't help much with the actual guide, but the kind of document you are describing is similar to a flowchart, so maybe that could narrow down your search parameters.
posted by Loto at 8:58 AM on May 10, 2007

Not time to find it for you, but I suggest searching for "tree dichotomous key pdf" or similar. Good luck!
posted by sourwookie at 8:59 AM on May 10, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

Not quite what you're looking for, but maybe if you had web access on your phone/PDA you could use it...
http://www.inspire.net/trees/
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 9:04 AM on May 10, 2007

Really, just take along a Peterson guide. It's not free, unless you borrow it from the library, but it's packed with info and easy to carry.
posted by caddis at 9:08 AM on May 10, 2007

Holy internets, it's called a 'dichotomous key'! You learn something new every day. I still haven't found a pdf one yet, but this search is definitely better - just goes to show you how important knowing the proper terms can be.

Caddis, I have the peterson guide, but the purpose of this is for young kids to be able to use it as well as me, and to develop their observational skills.
posted by Pastabagel at 9:16 AM on May 10, 2007

Try this:

http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/leaf/Adobe/key.pdf
posted by oneirodynia at 10:06 AM on May 10, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]