This key is based chiefly on leaves and twigs, as they offer the easiest
clues for identification, especially in this climate where leaves are
present about three-fourths of the year. The best method of study is to
carry this booklet to the woody plant or plants you want to know. If
this is not convenient, have at least a leafy twig in hand. When
collecting specimens for study (a large-paged magazine will do for
carrying and pressing), notes should include the date and location, any
peculiarities of the bark, nature of thorns if not on the specimen
taken, color of twigs or any other features which might change in
drying, flowers or seeds or any such extra clues which might help to
find the right name for the plant. Small specimens of leafy twigs may be
taken in suitable locations without endangering or damaging woody plants
provided they are always cut, never torn from the branches.
The sizes as well as shapes of leaves are usually more typical on older
plants or on the higher branches of trees. When either leaves or twigs
are described as opposite, this condition will be found to be true for
both, although sometimes the opposite member is missing; but leaflets
(leaf-like units of a compound leaf) may sometimes be opposite when the
complete leaves are not—the position of leaves, not leaflets, is used in
this key. The terms rare, common or abundant are used to apply solely to
Dallas County.
Begin with the numbers 1 in the key and decide which of these fits the
woody plant whose name you are seeking. Turn to the key number following
the 1 you have chosen and again choose between the two descriptions
bearing the same number. Continue this process until you have reached
the name of a plant. This name will be followed by some number above
200; turn to this number in the guide and see whether this more complete
description fits. If each of your choices in the key has been correct
you now know the name of your plant. If this description in the guide
does not fit your plant, go over the key again, selecting this time the
other choice at any number where you may have been in doubt.
Whenever it has been necessary to use an obscure or variable
characteristic an effort has been made so to arrange the key that the
right answer will be reached whichever the choice. That is why some
plant names appear more than once in the key. If the following points
are noted any careful observer should be successful in identifying the
native woody plants of Dallas County by the use of this key. It will be
found helpful in other regions where the native plants are similar to
those of Dallas County.