Learning About Twigs

Just like knowing the name of a tree by the shape of leaves, you can learn to recognize trees by examining twigs, buds and bark.

Study trees and twigs in your neighborhood and see if you can find these winter parts of trees!

□ Buds
Tiny leaves, flowers or twigs are folded tightly inside.

□ Bud scales
Cover and protect the leaf buds.

□ Bundle or vein scars
These spots found inside the leaf scars are the ends of the veins that once supplied sap to the leaf.

□ Leaf scar
The scar left on a twig after the leaf falls from the stem. Next years buds are often found beside leaf scars.

□ Lenticels
Small cork filled pores allow the inner bark to breathe.

□ Naked Buds
Buds with no scales.

□ Petiole
The stem of tree leaves. Compound leaf petiloes remain on some trees throughout the winter.

□ Spine, or thorn
A modified leaf or stem forming a woody, sharp point.

□ Terminal bud
A twig will grow longer in spring from this bud on the end.

□ Terminal Bud Scar
Terminal buds leave behind a scar that encircles the twig. The space between this scars and the terminal bud equals one years growth.


(Print this page and take it with you on your next neighborhood walk.)