Lesson Overview: In this activity, students use photographs and botanical specimens to create a dichotomous key for 10 tree species native to forests of the northern Rocky Mountains and the North Cascades.

Lesson Goals: Increase students’ understanding of morphological characteristics of trees, and increase their ability to identify tree species in the northern Rocky Mountains and the North Cascades.

Objectives:

• Students will use botanical specimens and photographs to create a dichotomous key for 10 tree species.