Leaf & Tree Identification

Deciduous Leaf Identification

• Simple • Compound

Deciduous Leaf Identification

• Opposite • Alternate

Deciduous Leaf Identification

• Smooth • Serrated

Deciduous Leaves With Lobes

• Triangular Lobes • Pairs of Lobes

Coniferous With Needles Identification

• Single Needles

Coniferous With Needles Identification

• Three needles in fascicles

• Five needles in fascicles

Conifers with Scale-Like Leaves

Pyramid Shape

• Shaped like the traditional Christmas tree

• Examples: Norway spruce, balsam fir, Fraser fir

• Photo at right shows Norway spruce.

Conical Shape

• Branches droop rather that turning upward.

• Example: white spruce

• Photo at right shows white spruce

Columnar Shape

• Branches grow sharply upward forming a thick, but very narrow-looking tree.

• Example: Lombardy poplar.

• Photo at right shows Lombardy poplar.

Spreading Shape

• Long branches spread horizontally outward from their trunk. The trunk, however, grows upward to the top or nearly to the top of the tree.

• Examples: American sycamore, paper birch

• Photo shows American sycamore in winter.

Vase Shaped

• Branches have a more upward growth pattern with a rounded top.

• Example: Lombardy poplar.

• Photo at right shows Lombardy poplar.

Broad-Shaped Tree

• Branches spread out from a short trunk leaving a somewhat flat top.

• Example: black hickory

• Photo at right shows a boxelder tree.

Rounded Shape Tree

• Similar to a broad tree, but with thicker, tighter branching giving the tree a rounded shape and round top

• Example: sugar maple

• Photo at right shows a sugar maple.