Tree and Shrub ID

I spend a lot of time trying to figure out the plants on my surveys. 

The tops of Western Hemlock droop.  

Western Hemlock Cone

The arrow points to Gooseberry. 

I have a kindergartener's dichotomous key in my head.

1.     Stand in front of the tree.

2.     Look at it.

3.     Does it have long or short needles?

4.     If it has long needles, does it have two needles per bundle? Then it’s a Lodgepole Pine.

5.     If three needles per bundle, then it’s a ponderosa pine.

Bundle of Three

Ponderosa Pines have red fissures.

6.     If it has five needles per bundle, then it’s either a Western White Pine, Limber Pine, or White Bark Pine. 

Western White Pine

7.     Look at the ground, if the cones look like the photo below, then it’s a WWP. 

Western White Pine Cone

Mature Western White Pine have horizontal lines in the bark, making a checkerboard pattern. 

8.     If the cones look like this, it’s a Doug Fir.

Doug Fir Cone

Doug Fir Cone

9.     If it has short needles, it could be a DF, Engelmann Spruce, or Western Hemlock. 

Larch

10.     Feel the needles. If the needles are poky, it's probably a spruce. If soft, fir. Spiky Spruce. Friendly Fir. 

Trees are a challenge to ID, but shrubs are even harder for me. I do my best. 

Sumac

My cousin is an ecologist in Coeur d'Alene, and she loaned me a book on shrubs.

The inscription says Mom and "I" gave it to her in 2003. Thanks, Mom.

In a field of green, Rocky Mountain Maple is somehow even greener. 

I've had my share of shrubs and downed trees.

Grand Fir branches are flat. 

Grand Fir

Hi, little tree. Who are you? 

Outside Office

The grass here was up to my shoulders and the Cow Parsnip was six feet tall.