Common Glossary Terms for Tree Leaves

Trees are among the most important natural organisms on the planet. In order for trees to thrive, they rely on their leaves for many matters, from wind resistance and driplines, to photosynthesis. Continue below to learn more about tree leaves by reviewing a glossary list of common tree leave terms.

Indianapolis Tree Care Service
Indianapolis Tree Care Service 317-783-2518

Tree Leave Terms and Definitions

? ALTERNATE – Alternate tree leaves are staggered along a twig rather than directly across from one another.

? BLADE – Blades refer to the flat surface areas of broad tree leaf trees.

? BRACT – Bracts are modified leaves that grows a flower.

? BROADLEAF – Broadleaf trees are trees that have flat, thin, thins that typically shed once a year.

? COMPOUND LEAF – Compound leaves are those that have more than one blade (see definition above).

? CHLOROPHYLL – A green pigment in tree leaves (and cyanobacteria) that is in control of absorbing UV light in order to provide energy for photosynthesis (see definition below).

? DECIDUOUS – Deciduous trees lose their tree leaves in the fall, enter dormancy in the winter, and blooms again in spring.

? DRIPLINE – The perimeter around the canopy of a tree where the rains drips off of the leaves. See our blog, “How to Measure a Tree’s Critical Root Zone”, for help locating a tree’s drip line.

? EVERGREEN – Evergreen trees do not lose their foliage, and remain “green” all year long.

? LEAF SCAR – When a leaf detaches from a twig, a mark is left behind called a leaf scar.

? LOBE – Tree leaf lobes are the protrusions that give a leaf its shape.

? MARGIN – Leaf margin refers to a leaf’s edge. Accordingly, the term entire margin refers to leaves that have smooth, non-toothed edges (see definition below).

? MIDRIB – The midrib is the primary vein of a leaf, also known as a rib.

? OPPOSITE – Two or three tree leaves that grow along the same twig, but directly across from one another.

? PALMATE – Tree leaves that have blades, lobes, or veins that are arranged in a way that is similar to fingers and hands.

? PINNATE – Tree leaves that have blades, lobes, or veins that are arranged in a way that is similar to feathers.

? PERSISTENT Deciduous (see definitions above) tree leaves that fail to drop, and remain all year long.

? PETIOLE – Petioles are essential the stem, or leafstalk, of a leaf that connects it to a twig.

? SIMPLE LEAF – A leaf that has just one leaf blade with a bud at the base of the leafstalk.

? SINUS – Tree leaves that have indentations between the lobes and blades (see definitions above).

? TEETH – Leaf teeth are the notches on the outside edge of a leaf.

Where to Get Trusted Tree Care Advice

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for experienced tree service in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree removal, tree trimming, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and more. If you want professional and efficient service you can trust, Complete Tree Care is the right call!

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518
Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518

What are Monocots and Dicots?

Have you somehow stumbled across the terms, monocots and dicots, and wonder how they pertain to the tree care industry? Well if so, you have come to the right place. Continue reading to learn the difference between these two important biological organisms, as well as, how they apply to your particular landscaping goals.

Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518
Indianapolis Tree Service 317-783-2518

Angiosperms

In our last blog, you learned the difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms. When it comes to monocots and dicots, angiosperms are the focus. Angiosperms are often considered the dominant plant-life on the planet because there are an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 species known to man. They are any type of flowering plant whose seeds (ovules) are enclosed in an ovary (usually a fruit). Angiosperms are conventional garden plants that bloom flowers from a hidden seed usually enclosed inside a fruit, which develops from carpels.

As mentioned, angiosperms are the emphasis when discussing monocots and dicots, as all flowering plants are one or the other. These two categories of angiosperms primarily represent the differences in the morphology of plant stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits. At a closer look, the basic chief difference between the two comes down to cotyledons. Cotyledons are embryo seed leaves that store and distribute nutrition to the embryo until it can use photosynthesis make its own food.

Monocots, or monocotyledons, have only one cotyledon. Examples include:

❦ Lilies
❦ Daffodils
❦ Grains
❦ Fruit Trees
❦ Corn
❦ Onions

Dicots, or dicotyledons, have two cotyledons. Examples common include:

❦ Daisies
❦ Peas
❦ Mangoes
❦ Apple Trees
❦ Mint

Two Ways to Tell the Difference:

☑ Dicot leaves have branched veins. Monocot leaves are parallel.

☑ Dicot flowers have petals in multiples of 4’s or 5’s. Monocots bloom petals in 3’s or 4’s.

Indianapolis Tree Service

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for prompt and professional Indianapolis tree service you can afford. We are experienced tree care technicians that can resolve your tree problems, regardless of your projects size or scope. We offer a wide range of tree removal and tree services, for both residential and commercial properties. We even offer free estimates and free tree care advice!

Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518
Indianapolis Tree Care 317-783-2518