Identifing Your Trees
Find out how to identify a tree and what types of trees exist. Using a tree's anatomy and physiology you can identify a tree by collecting leaves, cones, flowers, bark and fruit.
- Tree Habitat and Range (15)
- Tree Identification (238)
- Tree Physiology (40)
- Tree and Forest Celebration (21)
How to Look at a Tree
A tree is probably the most common, naturally growing or cultivated, living organism you will ever encounter on a daily basis. Most people I know have a real desire to learn more about a tree including looking at a tree in hopes to identify that tree. With this in mind, I have put together a list of things to think about and tools that will help...
Identify a Tree by Leaf Silhouette
Tree Leaf Silhouette - Identify a Tree by Leaf Silhouette
Tree Identification and Dendrology FAQs
Frequently asked questions about tree species identification and tree anatomy.
Making a Tree Leaf Collection
Making a tree leaf collection including collection tips, using a leaf press and exhibiting and displaying the leaf collection.
Beginning Tree Identification eCourse
Beginning Tree Identification eCourse
Tree Finder - Easy Way to Identify Common North American Trees
Find yourself a tree, collect or photograph a leaf or needle and answer the following questions...
Build and Use a Tree Leaf and Plant Press
Make a tree leaf press for preparing exhibits in a foliage collection.
Baldcypress
Trees in the Cypress Family - Cupressaceae
The Cedars
Trees in the Cedar Family - Cupressaceae
Douglas Fir
Description of Douglas-fir
The Firs
Description of Various Firs
The Hemlocks
Description of Various Hemlocks
The Larch
Description of Various Larch
The Pines
Trees in the Pine Family - Pinaceae
The Redwoods
Description of redwood
The Spruce
Description of Various Spruce
The Ash
Description of Individual Ash Species - Fraxinus
The Beech
Description of American Beech - Fagus
The Basswood
Description of American basswood
The Birch
Description of Individual Birch Species
Black Cherry
Description of Black Cherry
The Willow/Cottonwood
Description of cottonwood - Salix
The Walnut
Description by Individual Walnut Species
The Elms
Description of Individual Elm Species - Ulmus
The Hackberry
Description of Hackberry - Celtis
The Hickory
Description by Individual Hickory Species - Carya
American Holly
Description of American Holly - Ilex opaca
Black Locust
Description of Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia
The Magnolias
Description of Individual Magnolia Species - Magnolia
The Maples
Description of Individual Maple Species
The Oaks
Description by Individual Oak Species - Quercus
The Poplars
Description of Individual Poplar Species - Populus
Royal Paulownia
Royal Paulownia
Sassafras
Description of Sassafras
Sweetgum
Description of Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua
The Sycamore
Description of Sycamore
The Gums
The Gums
Yellow Poplar
Description of Yellow-poplar (Tulip poplar)
Paperbark Maple or Acer griseum
Paperbark maple (Acer griseum) or paperbark maple is the newest of maples to catch on in landscape.
Live Oak, Common Tree in North Am America
Live oak is a symbolic tree of the Deep South. Q. virginiana has a squat and leaning form with a large diameter tapering trunk. The leaves are semi-evergreen, are waxy and resist to salt spray which allow the tree to live on the southern coast and on barrier islands. The acorns are the primary food for coastal wildlife.
Preparing a Tree Leaf Collection
Nearly every one attempts a tree leaf collection for both study and exhibition. Here are my tips and suggestions toward making a plant leaf collection including building a leaf press.