"BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE"

BARK/LICHEN COLLECTING GUIDE

prepared by Trish Smith, Warrensburg Middle School, 9/04

1. You have the job of collecting bark samples from interesting trees around our study site. Work with the "Tree Sleuth" in your team to choose trees with a lot of lichen growth. BE CAREFUL NOT TO HARM THE TREE OR YOURSELF. If you pry too deeply with your tool, you may damage the living tissue under the bark, allowing disease-causing organisms to enter the tree. If the bark is attached tightly, you must be careful not to let your tool slip...you do not want to wound yourself!

2. While the tree sleuth works to identify the tree, your first task is to choose the lowest numbered tag in your bag and nail the tree number tag to the tree as high as you can SAFELY reach. Be sure to place it on the side of the tree that is the least visible from the path or road.

3. Mark a paper sack with the tree number and date.

4. Start by looking at all sides of the tree at a height of approximately 2 meters and selecting areas with the most signs of other life forms living on the bark. Now, take your prying tool (screwdriver, putty knife) and carefully remove the bark from these areas. Place each piece in the paper sack. Gather enough bark pieces to fill your sack half-full.

5. Continue to work with the "Tree Sleuth" to locate other trees to collect specimens from.