I used a digital microscope to take some backlit photos of various tree leaves, and the results were interesting.

A close-up of the venation of Chinkapin Oak. It's clear that there's a main channel and various smaller ones connected to it. Almost like roads in a city, leading to smaller and smaller neighborhoods.

The patterns of the leaves are fascinating, maintaining a predictable regularity - yet no two are alike.

This is a sample from Quercus bicolor or swamp white oak.

For a change of pace, I've included mountain maple, (acer spicatum). You can see there are less straight lines and more cell-like patterns emerging.

And for something completely different - Gingko biloba. It's one of the most basal tree species and has a very interesting, simple venation pattern.

Hope you enjoyed this insight into the world of leaves. These were all taken by myself with a Tasco digital microscope, you can get it for less than $100 Canadian.