On Sat, 29 Aug 1998, tm wrote:
> I am a wildlife major who has been instructed to create an herbarium of 25
> indiginous trees. If anyone can tell me how to go about this, I would
> appreciate it. grpg at penn.com>>> Here are my suggestions for a basic plan of attack. With luck, others
will add to this.
First,ask your instructor for suggestions and look at some herbarium
specimens as examples. Then
clearly define your targets. Do you really want only trees native to
your area or the US, or do you want locally-common trees both native and
exotic?
Next, find an appropriate tree ID book or key. You could visit a local
botanic
garden or nature center if one is nearby to get help in identifying the trees
before you begin collecting them, or invite someone versed in local
plants to go collecting with you. There may be a key to local trees
floating around the department or bookstore.
Get two pieces of plywood about 12 x 18 inches, about 12 pieces of
corrugated cardboard the same size, and a bunch of newspaper about 20 x
16 inches (some school newspapers are the perfect size, about 10x16 folded),
and some rope or a sturdy strap, a notebook and a pencil, and some branch
cutters.
Search for trees. When you find one you want to collect from (be sure you
have permission to do this), cut off a representative branch about a foot
long. You can collect your numbered specimens in a plastic bag and press
them later or do this in the field. Be sure to record all the info you
need about location and so forth in your field notebook at the time you
collect the plant.
To press the
plants, carefully place the branch inside a folded sheet of newspaper,
spreading out the leaves and turning one so the back can be seen. Make a
sandwich of plywood, cardboard, several specimens each folded in newspaper,
cardboard, specimens, etc and finally the other piece of plywood. Tie the
stack firmly together with the rope or strap.
When you have all your specimens, put the plant press in a well-ventilated
place to dry out for a few weeks. Carefully remove the specimens and glue
them to heavy paper.
Add a label to the lower corner of each sheet,identifying the plant and
giving the date, location, and site conditions where collected as well as
you name. You might include other info, too.
Hope this helps.
Sue Schenk
sschenk at jsd.claremont.edu
