Overview
The 4-H Tree Identification project is designed to teach youth about natural resources by having them learn the most important Virginia trees and their uses.
Trees in Your Backyard is a 12-pp. project guide. Extension Agents may order
it from the Distribution Center. Request Publication # 420-070.
Checklist of Virginia Trees- is a stand-alone piece that youth can use to mark trees as they learn them. Extension Agents may order it from the Distribution Center. Request Publication # 420-065.
Recommended awards for completion of the project record are as follows:
10 trees- Tree ID book, Trees of Virginia
25 trees- VA Tech Tree Scale Stick
50 trees- $50 scholarship
100 trees- $100 scholarship
Guidelines for administering Tree ID Awards
We are normally pretty lenient when a 4-H'er is going for the 10 tree award.
Check the list to make sure 10 trees are checked and that's it.
At the 25 tree level, someone (not necessarily a forester) should ask a
question about several of the trees that are marked, such as "tell me how you
identify this tree." As long as the 4-H'er can REMEMBER how to identify the
tree, that is sufficient.
When we get to the 50 and 100 tree level we are more exacting. First, ask a
forester to administer an oral quiz. A forester can ask a few questions that
will quickly determine if the 4-H'er really knows the trees or is just
checking them. For example, sugar and Norway maple look alike. A forester
would pick these two out of the list (if checked) and ask the 4-H'er how to
tell the difference. If the 4-H'er answers several such questions correctly,
then we know he/she is deserving of the award. If not, the 4-H'er should be
encouraged to study more and try later.
Note: "Important forest plants" should only count towards the 100 tree
category.
Once a person has achieved a certain level, contact Jeff Kirwan and he mail
the award to the unit office. In the case of $50 and $100 scholarships, a
check will be written to your Extension unit account so that the 4-H agent can
make the award at an appropriate time.
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