From Steve Nix,
Your Guide to Forestry.
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Quick Starts to Tree Identification

Start with my Tree Finder if you are not sure what kind of tree you have and the tree has leaves. If you have a dormant tree with no leaves in winter, review my Winter Tree Finder for extra help.

The Most Common Trees

Identify trees known variously as conifers, evergreens, or softwoods:
baldcypress | cedar | Douglas-fir | fir | hemlock | larch | pine | redwood | spruce | juniper

Definition of this Tree Category

• CONIFER - A tree belonging to the order Coniferales. Trees with needles or scalelike leaves and cones as opposed to broad, flat leaves that more often than not are coneless.

• EVERGREEN - perennial plants which normally keep foliage or needles through the entire year.

• SOFTWOOD - Softwood trees are usually evergreen, bear cones, and have needles or scalelike leaves. They include pine, spruces, firs, and cedars. Wood hardness varies among the conifer species, and some are actually harder than some hardwoods.

Helpful Extra Resources

Tree Identification Glossary: Definitions of terms used in tree identification.

How to ID a Tree: A quick review of tree anatomy and the identification process.

A List of Tree ID Sites: Links to excellent tree identification information.

North American Timber Types: Maps of common tree ranges.

The Hardwoods

Back to Most Common 100 Trees