An ecologist is likely to define a tree in terms of the plant's competitive ability, as a unit of casting shade on other plants, and as a producer of photosynthetic compounds. A physiologist would be concerned with the rigidity of the plant, as a plant able to produce lignin and vascular cambium. Taxonomy is concerned with nomenclature, the assignment of names to organisms. The forester and environmental scientist learn both in order to communicate effectively with both their colleagues and the general public. These names are used in everyday speech and writing, but they are not precise enough to be used in scientific communication.
Science uses a standardized, universal nomenclature using latinized names.
Scientific names have followed standard usage since 1753 when Linnaeus published his monumental book entitled Species Plantarum . In scientific writing, both names are either underlined or italicized. The genus may be abbreviated with its initial only if the content is clear, and the genus name has been spelled out previously. For example, Tsuga canadensis , Prunus serotina , and A. saccharum are all correct usages of scientific names for the common-named trees, Mountain Hemlock, Black Cherry, and Sugar Maple. In taxonomic classifications, the species is the focal point.