Preliminary:Forestry

[gneissisnice]

I think it would be fairly accurate, though they might add specimens. The list is 162 trees long, so it is doubtful... and I don't think trees have evolved in the past seven years .

On another note, does anyone have a surefire way to identify the 19 different species of pine? they all seem so similar, and you can only really go off needle length and needle number in a petiole since color is somewhat unreliable. It would be hard if they gave us just a branch...

19? When I did Forestry last, there were only like 6 pines on the list.

Needle number is the most important, followed by needle length. They pick specimens so that no two have the same number of needles in a bunch plus the same needle length, for pines at least.

That was really the only thing I could ID, to be honest. The spruces all looked the same to me, as did the oaks, birches, and beeches.

[PacificGoldenPlover]

I have started a leaf collection to help for forestry, and I was wondering if there were any veteran pressers to help give tips on avoiding rot on the leaves, and other problems.

[sciencechic]

You can preserve leaves a number of ways-- pressing, the wax paper pressing or soaking in glycerine and water (1:2) then drying.

[tuftedtitmouse12]

i was going to use the microwave...
and if that didn't work, with the heavy book method....

[NYLHVSSO]

Does anyone know if ironing a leaf in wax paper covered with a towel works?

[tuftedtitmouse12]

why don't you try it?

[NYLHVSSO]

All right, I'll try it and I'll see how it goes...

[tuftedtitmouse12]

yes
let us know
im hoping that might be a better method than the heavy book one or the microwave...
im a little scared now to use the microwave....ive had terrible experiences...such as burning one out several times in a row

[NYLHVSSO]

Apparently I didn't have wax paper. I tried the plastic from a Ziploc bag and parchment paper. They both do not work.

OK, here are the microwave results:

Microwave Results (Click to Show Hidden Text)

This is the first one, which I put into the microwave [b]between some paper towels and on top of a plate[/b].
[img]http://i55.tinypic.com/2j425jm.jpg[/img]

This is the second one, which I put into the microwave [b]between some paper towels and under a plate[/b]. This method seems to work.
[img]http://i52.tinypic.com/k2g3f9.jpg[/img]

[anatomy]

ok one question, why are you trying to do something that takes sooo much effort when the pictures of the leaves are in the book?

preserving leaves takes a long time and you aren't going to find a lot of many specimens

don't get me wrong, it is a GREAT activity, its fun, but not the best way to study