Leaf Dichotomous Key
A Key to the leaves of some common trees of the northeastern USA
1 a. Leaves are evergreen, thin, needle-like……………………………….……………...………..2
b. Leaves are broad, deciduous……………………………………….……………...…………..6
2. a. Needles are over one inch long, in clusters……………………….……………………..……3
b. Needles are one half inch or less……………………………….……………………………..4
3. a. Needles in clusters of three…………………….…………………….Pitch pine (Pinus rigida)
b. Needles in clusters of five……………………….……… Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
4. a. Needles scale-like, sharp, cover twigs………….....Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
b. Needles protrude from the twigs……………………….……………………..………………5
5. a. Needles flat, rounded tips in two rows along twig…..….Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
b. Needles in whorl around the stem………………….……...……White Spruce (Picea glauca)
6. a. Compound leaves divided into 7 leaflets…………………....White ash (Fraxinus americana)
b. Simple leaves………………………………………….…….………………………………..7
7. a. Lobed, rounded leaves with 7 to 9 lobes…………….………...…..White Oak (Quercus alba)
b. Toothed leaves………………………………………………….…………………………….8
8. a. Long slender leaves which droop down……………....…Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
b. Leaves are less than twice as long as broad………………….…...…………………………..9
9. a. Leaves have an elliptical shape………………....………American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
b. Leaves are toothed and lobed………………….……..………Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum)
Creature Dichotomous Key
1 a. Your creature has feet.
1 b. Your creature does not have feet.
2 a. Your creature has 2 eyes.
2 b. Your creature has more than 2 eyes.
3 a. Your creature has 2 feet.
3 b. You creature does not have 2 feet.
4 a. Your creature has wheels.
4 b. Your creature does not have wheels.
5 a. Your creature has 2 arms.
5 b. Your creature does not have 2 arms.
6 a. Your creature has only 1 wheel.
6 b. Your creature has more than 1 wheel.
7a. Your creature has only 1 eye.
7b. Your creature has more than 1 eye.
8 a. Your creature has teeth.
8 b. Your creature does not have teeth.
9 a. Your creature has wings.
9 b. Your creature has no wings.
Go to 2
Go to 4
Go to 3
Go to 5
Creature 2
Creature 4
Go to 6
Go to 8
Creature 3
Creature 9
Go to 7
Creature 8
Creature 5
Creature 10
Creature 7
Go to 9
Creature 6
Creature 1
C. _______________________
B. _______________________
A. ______________________
D. ______________________
H. ______________________
E. ______________________
I. _______________________
F. ______________________
J. _______________________
G. ______________________