Dendrology

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Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense)	Dendrology BIO 312	Measuring the diameter of a tree.

Dendrology is a 3 semester hour course for undergraduate students who are majoring in Biology or a related field and who expect to work in an area where the identification and distribution of trees, shrubs, and woody vines is needed. The focus of this course is on identification of the types of plants that are found in Mississippi; specifically focusing on those found in the Delta.

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BIO 312 Syllabus	Elder Berry (Sambucus canadensis) in flower	Cercis canadensis (Redbud, Judas Tree) in fruit
Species Identification List
Required Calculations
Calculation Instructions
Poisonous Plants
Photo Gallery

General information about trees, shrubs, and woody vines.

Dendrology is the study of trees, shrubs, and woody vines; or in other words, many of the plants that are found in a forest. Forests are much more than that however. They are important natural resources that provide lumber, hunting and fishing, and numerous other benefits for humans. Forests act as sponges, catching rainfall, cleaning it, and releasing it into our streams and rivers. Forests protect the soil from erosion: studies have shown that trees planted on open cropland can reduce erosion from 10 tons per year per acre to less than 1/2 ton per year per acre within three years. The trees on one acre of land remove 3 tons of carbon dioxide and produces enough oxygen for 18 people every year. These same trees remove 13 tons of dust from the air and release 8,000 gallons of water vapor, cooling the air. Mississippi’s forests contribute around 14 billion dollars a year to the state’s economy and provide employment for thousands of people. Many native shrubs and trees such as the elder berry and redbud, provide essential food supplies for many varieties of animals. Exotic invasive species such as the Chinese privet, rapidly colonize disturbed areas by outcompeting native plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

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