CATS New Mexico Tree Identification 4

Question 1

Which New Mexico conifer has needles in bundles of 3, orange-red plated bark on the upper trunk, and is the dominant ponderosa type in the southern Rockies?

Accepted Answer

Ponderosa pine

Answer

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) has 3 needles per bundle in most New Mexico populations, and mature trees develop the characteristic jigsaw-puzzle, orange-plated bark.

Question 2

A native New Mexico shrub-tree with pinnately compound leaves, showy pink flowers in racemes, and flattened seed pods that persist into winter is:

Accepted Answer

New Mexico locust

Answer

New Mexico locust (Robinia neomexicana) produces fragrant pink pea-like flowers in May–June and flat brown seed pods, and is a common understory tree in ponderosa pine forests.

Question 3

Which New Mexico riparian tree has opposite, simple, heart-shaped leaves, showy white tubular flowers, and long bean-like pods up to 20 inches?

Accepted Answer

Western catalpa

Answer

Western catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is sometimes planted along New Mexico waterways and has large heart-shaped leaves, orchid-like white flowers, and extremely long narrow pods.

Question 4

An arborist finds a small desert tree with linear leaves, trumpet-shaped purple-to-white flowers, and long narrow pods. This is:

Accepted Answer

Desert willow

Answer

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) has narrow willow-like leaves, showy orchid-like flowers, and slender curved seed pods, making it unique among New Mexico desert trees.

Question 5

Which feature best distinguishes Gambel oak from gray oak in the field?

Accepted Answer

Gambel oak has deeply lobed leaves, while gray oak has entire or slightly wavy margins

Answer

Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii) has the classic deeply lobed 'oak leaf' shape, while gray oak (Quercus grisea) has smaller, nearly entire or shallowly toothed leaves.

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

(CATS) Certified Arborist Tree Service of Albuquerque Practice Test

CATS New Mexico Tree Identification 4