CATS - Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque New Mexico Tree Identification Questions and Answers

Question 1

An arborist in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains encounters a small, bushy tree with needles in fascicles of two.
The needles are short (1-2 inches), fairly stiff, and yellow-green.
The cones are small, reddish-brown, and have thick scales without prickles.
This tree is the state tree of New Mexico.
Which species has been identified?

Accepted Answer

Piñon Pine (Pinus edulis)

Answer

Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Answer

Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis)

Answer

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Question 2

While assessing a deciduous tree in a client's Albuquerque yard, you note the leaves are alternate, simple, and have 5-9 deep, rounded lobes. The tree has a shrub-like, thicket-forming growth habit, and the client mentions it produces acorns. What is the most likely identification?

Accepted Answer

Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii)

Answer

Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata)

Answer

New Mexico Locust (Robinia neomexicana)

Answer

Three-leaf Sumac (Rhus trilobata)

Question 3

Which of the following characteristics is most useful for distinguishing Juniperus monosperma (One-seed Juniper) from other juniper species in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Berry-like cones containing a single seed

Answer

Presence of scale-like leaves

Answer

Shredding, fibrous bark

Answer

Aromatic foliage

Question 4

A large, deciduous tree growing in the Rio Grande bosque has a broad, open crown, thick, deeply furrowed gray-brown bark on the main trunk, and roughly triangular or heart-shaped leaves with coarsely toothed margins. The leaf stems are flattened. What is this tree?

Accepted Answer

Rio Grande Cottonwood (Populus deltoides subsp. wislizeni)

Answer

Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)

Answer

Arizona Sycamore (Platanus wrightii)

Answer

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Question 5

You are called to a property in Albuquerque to identify a tree with compound leaves. Which of the following native New Mexico trees has pinnately compound leaves and is known for its showy, drooping clusters of pink, pea-like flowers in the spring?

Accepted Answer

New Mexico Locust (Robinia neomexicana)

Answer

Boxelder (Acer negundo)

Answer

Velvet Ash (Fraxinus velutina)

Answer

Western Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii)

Question 6

What is the primary visual difference between the needles of a Piñon Pine (Pinus edulis) and a Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)?

Accepted Answer

Piñon needles are shorter and in fascicles of two.

Answer

Piñon needles are longer and in fascicles of three.

Answer

Piñon needles are flat, while Ponderosa needles are square.

Answer

Piñon needles are blue-green, while Ponderosa needles are dark green.