There are so many varieties of trees that distinguishing between them can be difficult. Whether you want to learn more about the local flora or want to identify a particular tree, it can be difficult to know where to start. By knowing the specific characteristics to look for in the tree's leaves, bark, and shape, you will be able to start identifying trees in no time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Categorize the Tree
Step 1. Observe the shape and type of the leaves
One of the easiest ways you can narrow down the number of possible tree types is by identifying whether the tree is "coniferous" or "broad-leaved." Coniferous trees have pointed needles (for example, like those you would find on a Christmas tree). Broadleaf trees encompass all other trees, and their leaves are wider and flatter. Here are some other ways of classifying leaves that you could further narrow down your tree type possibilities:
- Scales are a type of leaf similar to needles, but with a much broader face. They are pointed at the end and usually grow in overlapping groups to give a scaly appearance.
- Simple leaves can be either wide or narrow, although they are usually flat with smooth edges. In contrast, serrated or serrated leaves resemble simple leaves except for the fact that they have pointed ridges on the sides.
- The lobed leaves are broad with large bumps or "hills and valleys" along the edge.
- Palmate leaves have several thin leaves emerging from a single stem, while pinnate leaves have several thin leaves that are attached to their own stems.
Step 2. Check the tree for fruits, berries, nuts, or flowers
These are all easy to identify indicators of different types of tree. When looking at the leaves, look at the branches for fruit, flowers, or other features that might help distinguish that tree from other types. These are some types of flowers and fruits that you should pay attention to:
- The flowers can grow in groups or singularly. Check to see if the tree's flowers grow in small clusters or individually throughout the tree.
- The types of fruit that are easier to recognize will look and feel like the ones you find at the supermarket. While this doesn't necessarily indicate that you can eat them, it can help you identify a tree. These are known as pulp, soft, or berry fruits, and they have a smooth but slightly firm exterior.
- The cones or the fruits of the catkins constitute a group of woody pieces similar to scales that form a conical or cylindrical mass. Pineapples may be the best known type, although you can find many cones from trees that are not pines.
- Acorns and walnuts can be grouped as hard, woody fruits. These have a hard exterior and sometimes protect seeds inside.
- The pods contain several seeds or hard masses within a single pod or protective enclosure.
- Winged fruits consist of a hard seed in the center of the fruit surrounded by a light, papery skin that comes out of that seed.
Step 3. Examine the color and shape of the crust
The formation of the tree's bark and also its color can be useful identifiers when determining a type of tree. Observe and touch the bark to determine its texture, being careful not to damage it. Here are some things to look for when differentiating the crust:
- From a distance, it might appear that a tree's bark is just a standard brown color. Get a little closer and look at any other colors or textures that might be harder to see. The bark of a tree can have shades of brown, red, white, gray, and even hints of green.
- The most common type of bark is rough, striated, or furrowed. The bark of this type is divided into long, robust strips that cover the tree in an apparently random pattern.
- If the bark is made up of smaller, square pieces that overlap the entire length of the tree, it is referred to as scaly.
- The smooth rind will be smooth to the touch or it may feel as if there is no rind at all. It will also usually be very light or tan in color.
- In case the crust looks or feels like it can be easily peeled off and held together in larger chunks, it is said to be like paper.
Step 4. Observe the general shape and height of the tree
The shape and height of a tree can be key identifiers in determining what type it is. You don't need to measure height exactly as long as you have a rough estimate. These are some terms with which you can differentiate the shapes of trees:
- Spire or cone trees are narrow and often have a pointed top, which gives them a triangular shape.
- Spread trees are broad and broad in shape, and their branches often extend away from the trunk.
- Upright trees resemble spreading trees, although their branches do not extend as far, which gives the tree a narrower appearance.
- Weeping tree branches and leaves curve downward and hang low.
Step 5. Narrow the odds regarding your location
Where you are when trying to identify a tree can help narrow your chances. For example, you are unlikely to find a pine tree in Southern California. Take note of your location as this could be a key factor in identifying the correct type of tree in case they all start to look the same.
Part 2 of 3: Putting Your Observations into Practice
Step 1. Find the tree using a tree encyclopedia
Tree encyclopedias contain long lists, descriptions, and sometimes even pictures to help you identify different types of trees. Ask a local bookstore to see if they can point you to an encyclopedia that is specific to your location. Otherwise, you could get some online.
You should always try to use encyclopedias and guides that are limited to your geographic area. These will cover only the trees that are likely to grow around you and not the thousands of different types of trees throughout the country or the world. Ask a local bookseller or look up tree identification books online that are limited to your state, region, or even just the half of the country you live in
Step 2. Look up tree identifiers online
There are many tools online that can help you identify trees based on different characteristics. Look for one that is offered by a local wildlife or nature organization so that the possibilities are limited to the local flora, or you can check one online by looking for "tree identifiers."
- Use websites where you can narrow down the possibilities of trees based on specific characteristics and not websites that classify trees by name. The latter are designed to provide a large amount of information about a specific tree, while the former are more useful for tree identification.
- There are some colleges that have local tree identification websites that are available for free (for example, the University of Wisconsin tool here, if you live in the US).
- Also, if you live in the US, the "What Tree is That?" ("What tree is that?") By The Arbor Day Foundation could also be very helpful.
Step 3. Ask an expert for help
While it is possible to learn a lot on your own about tree identification, in case you really want to learn more about trees and how to identify them, being taught by a local expert can give you the knowledge you need faster and more easily. more thorough way.
- Look for local courses and workshops. Taking a class taught by an expert can improve your knowledge of the trees in your geographic area. Look for classes and workshops offered by colleges and universities, in addition to those offered by environmental organizations, hiking organizations, agricultural extension offices, and local, state, or national parks.
- Spend time privately in the field with an expert. A formal class will likely teach you everything you need to know and, in the process, give you some fieldwork experience, but perhaps you can learn the same if you can schedule a meeting with an on-site expert in a park. or arboretum.
Step 4. Use an app to identify trees
Currently, you can find many applications for your smartphone that can be used to identify trees just by looking at them. Some of them may use pictures of trees or leaves to identify them, while others may ask you various questions to help narrow down the possibilities. Look for "tree identifier" apps in your smartphone app store and try a few to determine which one you like best.
Each application will work differently or may not work perfectly on your phone. Read the instructions and experiment with each one to find out how to use it
Part 3 of 3: Identify Specific Trees
Step 1. Identify a pine tree
There are many types of pines. However, because they are members of the same extended family, they often have similar characteristics. You can find a pine by looking for tall trees with needles and cone-type fruits.
- Taeda pines are tall trees that typically reach 30 to 35 m (98 to 115 ft) tall. The needles of these trees are usually found in clusters of three, and the trees produce conical-type fruits. Its bark is scaly and the branches are mostly grouped in the upper part of the tree.
- Contortos pines are slender, narrow trees that reach 40 to 50 m (130 to 160 ft) tall. The tops of the trees are usually flattened, but they also have needles that come in groups of two and conical-type fruits.
Step 2. Identify a fir
As with pines, there are a few different variations of fir within this species. However, they mostly have similar traits.
- Douglas firs are one of the tallest tree types in the world, reaching 250 feet (75 m) in height. Young trees have thin, smooth bark, although old trees have thick, cork-like bark. These trees produce cone-like fruits that have a narrow shape and reddish-brown scales, and their needle-like leaves are arranged in spirals, fully extended along the shoots. The top of the tree is a bit cylindrical.
- Balsam fir trees are a smaller variety that can reach between 14 and 20 m (46 to 66 ft) tall. The top of the tree is narrow and pointed, which gives its overall shape a conical appearance. Young trees have smooth gray bark, while old trees have rough and scaly bark, and their leaves are needle-like. As the cones mature, they turn brown but disintegrate and release winged seeds in the fall.
Step 3. Determine what an oak tree looks like
Oak trees are usually divided into two groups: white oaks and red oaks, although there are other variations as well.
- White oaks have simple, lobed leaves without bristle tips. They produce acorns and usually have a light gray bark with a scaly appearance.
- Red oaks also produce acorns, although their leaves are lobed with bristles at the tips. They have scaly bark and a color from dark grayish red to reddish brown. Its branches are thin and initially appear bright green before turning dark red and eventually dark brown.
Step 4. Get familiar with maples
All maples are quite similar, although the general species also encompasses several types.
- The leaves of sugar maple trees have five rounded lobes. They are green during spring and summer, but turn bright yellow, orange, or bright reddish-orange during fall, and the color in this season is usually not uniform. Its bark has ridges and produces winged fruits.
- The leaves of silver maples have sharp lobes that are deeply cut. They are vibrant green in the summer, but barely pale yellow in the fall. Its bark is usually smooth and silver on young trees, while on old trees it is gray and matted.
- The leaves of red maples have sharp lobes that are shallowly cut. They are green during the summer, but tend to take on a vibrant red hue during the fall. Young trees have smooth, pale gray bark, while old trees have darker bark with a sheet-like texture. Also, red maples produce winged, double-sided fruits.
Step 5. Recognize a birch
Birch trees are very commonly used as decorative or ornamental trees because of their colorful bark and exposed trunks. You can identify a birch by looking for papery bark that wraps around the tree, lobed leaves that have tips around the outside, and small, brittle cones attached to the branches.
- Paper birch trees have white, paper-like bark and can grow up to 20 m (70 ft) tall.
- Red birch trees have a darker, reddish-brown or coppery bark. They are also typically much smaller, ranging from the size of a bush to 9 m (30 ft) tall.
Step 6. Identify a sycamore
Sycamores are giant trees used to decorate a wide landscape and also to provide a shady spot on a particularly hot day. If you want to identify a sycamore, look for large, weathered green leaves and small, green flowers attached to its branches. Typically, the bark will be a mixture of white, tan, and brown colors, although these colors may be covered by a thin layer of white bark.