Lobed Leaves Lobed leaves are divided into palmately and pinnately lobed. In the Palmately lobed, the lobes originate at the central point of the base of the leaf such as yellow poplar, the maples, gum and sycamore. In pinnately lobed they occur along the stem such as the oaks. Leaves Slim oval are those leaves which are more than twice as long as they are wide. Trees with slim oval leaves are cherry, beech and birch.
Broad oval are less than twice as long as they are wide.
Basswood, elm and catalpa are broad oval leaves. The oaks represent the largest and most important group of hardwoods in the Appalachian region. They grow throughout the eastern part of the country and a few species are found in scattered hardwood stands on the West Coast. An important feature enhancing the quality of Appalachian oak is that fewer sub-species reach the commercial market. This is of particular advantage to furniture manufacturers, architectural woodworkers and flooring manufacturers, in that they are assured of uniform quality.