Field Notes Journal
Field Notes Journal a personal natural history of place

III.2 Cross-Section of a Woody Stem

Aim

To observe the structure of early woody tissue in a young stem.

Specimen & Apparatus

  • Young woody twig (e.g. ash, elder, or hawthorn)
  • Sharp blade or razor
  • Slide and coverslip
  • Water
  • Compound microscope

Method

  1. Cut a thin transverse section of the twig.
  2. Place the section on a slide in a drop of water.
  3. Apply a coverslip carefully.
  4. Examine under low power to observe overall structure.
  5. Increase magnification to study finer details.

Observations to Make

  • Thickness and structure of outer layers.
  • Presence and arrangement of woody tissue.
  • Differences between inner and outer regions.
  • Any evidence of growth patterns or rings.