How to Use a Dichotomous Key: A Tutorial Featuring 10 Common Shade Trees of the Tampa Bay Area

Andrew K. Koeser, Gitta Hasing, Michael G. Andreu, and Melissa H. Friedman

Release Date: 8/16/2018

Reviewed At: 1/19/2023

DOI: 10.32473/edis-ep510-2016

Natural Resources

Abstract

A dichotomous key is a tool used to help identify an unknown organism. This fact sheet features a key of leaf characteristics for ten common broadleaf trees in the Tampa Bay Area. Accurately navigating this series of paired, either-or choices about leaf characteristics will lead the reader to identify the correct tree from the group of ten.

About this Publication

This document is ENH1249, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 2014. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Andrew K. Koeser, assistant professor, Department of Environmental Horticulture, CLCE, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Gitta Hasing, senior biological scientist, Department of Environmental Horticulture, CLCE, UF/IFAS GCREC; Michael G. Andreu, associate professor, School of Forest Resources and Conservation; and Melissa H. Friedman research and extension writer; Department of Environmental Horticulture, CLCE, UF/IFAS GCREC; UF/IFAS Extension Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Koeser, A. K., Hasing, G., Andreu, M. G., & Friedman, M. H. (2016). How to Use a Dichotomous Key: A Tutorial Featuring 10 Common Shade Trees of the Tampa Bay Area. EDIS, 2016(6), 12. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ep510-2016