Dendrology

Leaf shape is the most common tool used to identify trees

Dendrology (Ancient Greek: δένδρον, dendron, "tree"; and Ancient Greek: -λογία, -logia, science of or study of) or xylology (Ancient Greek: ξύλον, ksulon, "wood") is the science and study of wooded plants (trees, shrubs, and lianas). There is no sharp boundary between plant taxonomy and dendrology. However, woody plants not only belong to many different plant families, but these families may be made up of both woody and non-woody members. Some families include only a few woody species. This severely limits the usefulness of a strictly dendrological approach. Dendrology tends to focus on economically useful woody plants, their identification and horticultural or silvicultural properties.

Relationship with botany

Dendrology is often confused with botany. However, botany is the study of all types of general plants, while dendrology studies only wooded plants. Dendrology may be considered a subcategory of botany that specializes in wooded plants.

Noted dendrologists

• Mike Baillie, Queen's University of Belfast
• Francis A. Bartlett, founder of Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens and the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory
• William Douglas Cook, founder of Eastwoodhill Arboretum and Pukeiti (New Zealand)
• Michael Dirr
• Alan Mitchell
• Maciej Giertych
• Humphry Marshall

See also

• Dendrochronology
• Silvology
• World Forestry Congress

External links

• Iowa State - Dendrology
• Forest Biology and Dendrology Educational Sites at Virginia Tech
• Dendrology information and other tree identification resources