Lesson Overview: In this activity, students observe and record information on botanical specimens, then use each other’s observations to identify 10 tree species of the northern Rocky Mountains and North Cascade range.

Lesson Goals: To increase students’ understanding that trees have characteristics unique to each species and these can be used to identify them.

Objective: Given descriptions of individual tree species, a dichotomous key, and plant samples, students can use sets of photos and botanical specimens to identify 10 species.