Introduction to Tree Identification
NeighborWoods 2014
Jean Akers, RLA, AICP
Conservation Technix
Senior Associate
Tree Classification: What’s in a Name?
Plant Kingdom
Other 9
divisions for
algae, moss,
ferns, etc.
Ginkgo Conifers
“Naked seeds”
Flowering
plants
“covered
seeds”
Division
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Latin is the
“universal”
language in
taxonomy
The Big Picture…
• Identify trees by more than one characteristic – do not rely only on leaves!
• Practice terminology
• Use a field guide and dichotomous key, when feasible
• Find the “key characteristics”
Key Characteristics:
Growth Form (Habit)
Bark
Leaves
Buds
Twigs
Flowers
Fruits or Cone
Also: touch, taste, smell, sound.
Growth Form
Quercus garryana, Oregon white oak
Quercus palustris,
Pin oak
Growth Form Ulmus americana,
American elm
Liquidambar styraciflua,
Sweetgum
Growth Form
Bark
Betula papyrifera, Paperbark birch
Bark
Platanus occidentalis,
Sycamore
Bark
Thuja plicata,
Western red cedar
Bark
Pinus sylvestris,
Scotch pine
Leaves Broadleaf
Scale-like
Needle-like
Acer circinatum,
Vine maple
Quercus rubra,
Red oak Tilia americana, Linden
Simple Leaves
Compound Leaves
Pinnately compound:
Fraxinus pennsylvatica,
Green ash
Palmately compound:
Aesculus hippocastanum,
Horsechestnut
Alternate
Opposite
Leaf Arrangement
Leaf Shape
Linear
Deltoid
Elliptical
Orbicular
Leaf Margin
Entire
Serrate
Lobed
Pines - in fascicles
Fir
Spruce
Needle-like Leaves
Buds and twigs
Oaks – clustered end buds
Alnus rubra, Red alder
Buds Aesculus glabra,
Ohio buckeye
Rhamnus purshiana,
Cascara
scaly naked
Bud scars
White ash v. Green ash – note leaf scar shape
Flowers
Acer saccharinum,
Silver maple
Fraxinus latifolia,
Oregon ash
Flowers
Magnolia x soulangia, Saucer magnolia
Cornus nuttalli, Pacific dogwood
Albizia julibrissin,
Silk tree
Fruit - Nuts Quercus macrocarpa, Bur oak
Aesculus hippocastanum,
Horsechestnut
Castanea dentata,
American chestnut
Fruit – Winged Seeds
Acer rubrum, Red maple
Ulmus americana, American elm
Fraxinus ornus,
Flowering ash
Cones Psuedotsuga menziesii,
Douglas-fir
Abies concolor, White fir
Picea pungens,
Colorado blue spruce Pinus aristata,
Bristlecone pine
Remember the Big Picture…
• Identify trees by more than one characteristic – do not rely only on leaves!
• Practice terminology
• Use a field guide and dichotomous key, when feasible
• Find the “key characteristics”
The whole picture…
Draw and sketch to train your power of observation…
- in the field
- with real samples
Remember to have fun!
NeighborWoods 2014