Tree Basic

Question:

How are trees classified?

Answer:

Term	Explanation	Example
Family	Single or group of genera that closely or uniformly resemble each other in general appearance and technical character	Aceraceae
Genus	A group of tree species that have fundamental traits in common, but that differ in other, lesser characteristics	Maple (Common Name) Acer (Scientific Name)
Species	A natural group of trees in the same genus made up of similar individuals that can produce	Red Maple Acer rubrum
Variety	A subdivision of a species having a distinct, though often inconspicuous difference, and breeding true to that difference	Acer rubrum var. drummondi
Cultivar	A variety, selected for one or more outstanding characteristics, that is being cultivated, and usually reproduced by asexual means to preserve genetic makeup	Acer rubrum 'Autum Flame'
Superior Selection	Also called supreior trees, these are individual trees that display one ore more notable, desireable traits.
Hybrid	A tree that results from mating genetically unlike individuals. Such a cross can occur in nature or artifically.
Clone	A tree derived vegetatively from one parent, thereby being genetically identical to the parent tree
	Grafting and budding are also reproductive techniques used to develop clones, but complete genetic uniformity is not possible unless root stock is part of the parent material.	Tissue Culture (micro-propagation)
	The genetic makeup of cultivars are preserved through asexual propogation methods	Rooting of Cuttings
	Some cultivars are developed from native trees; others from exotics.