[ID] Tree Leaves

[Jason Green]

Evening all,

Whilst beating for invertebrates, I came across a few where the host-plant may be an important factor. I returned with a relevant leaf as I didn't have my camera with me.

25/06/2011

Length: 80mm longitudinally

25/06/2011

Length: 90mm longitudinally

24/06/2011

Length: 70mm longitudinally

Thanks!

Take care,

Jason

[Dorts]

Jason, the first looks like a Thuja sp. one of the Western Cedars. Though could poss be a Cupressus. Difficult with just a small piece.

Second is an Elm - Ulmus sp.
All the best,
Dorts.

[The Woodman]

It's always nice to see an Elm leaf.

From one who was cutting the things down in the seventies.

[Jason Green]

Thanks both - another one I'll try and familiarise myself with.

Any ideas on the last?

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Thanks both - another one I'll try and familiarise myself with
Any ideas on the last?

Sorry Jason. Both of the last two leaves are Elm leaves. Difficult to assign a species from just a leaf I'm afraid, so just put it down as Ulmus sp.
Dorts.

[Jason Green]

Ah, thanks! Is the fact the leaf starts from one side of the stem first, then the way the diagonal veins alternately leave the main longitudinal one and the crenulate margin the points to go by for when I see this tree again - if only as ulmus sp.?

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Ah, thanks! Is the fact the leaf starts from one side of the stem first

My understanding is that this feature is diagnostic.

In spite of Woodman's best efforts, Elms are still quite common in E. Anglia, its just that they are all small and in the hedgerows - as soon as they get to 6 ins circumference they get Dutch Elm disease. So you should easily find some more to ID.

[Deb London]

Elms are common here. I'm told they are a hybid, but wouldn't know about that.

They have a very distinctive bark and you can have fun spotting them, even in winter. In summer they can be seen from a great distance because of the dead branches above the new, suckering regrowth. I seem to find them in wilder hedgerows and near paths. I assume they are of planted origin.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Ah, thanks! Is the fact the leaf starts from one side of the stem first, then the way the diagonal veins alternately leave the main longitudinal one and the crenulate margin the points to go by for when I see this tree again - if only as ulmus sp.?

Yes, the fact that one side of the leaf goes further down the midrib than the other is diagnostic.

Elms are still to be found in virtually all the ares that they formerly colonised, but as soon as the growth develops a bark, after 3/4 years, the Bark Beetle can find a home, spread the disease and that part of the tree will die. So generally we only ever see young growth.
Dorts.

[Jason Green]

Ah, very interesting. I have seen about three of these now, in different areas.