Basics of Tree ID

Introduction

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One of the most important and useful skills in forestry is the ability to correctly identify trees in the forest. The best way to develop these skills are to gain a little bit of know-how and then practice, practice, practice. Hopefully, this information will help you to identify many of the major trees on your forest property without overwhelming you.

Click on each feature below to see a detailed description of the characteristics which are important for identification.

• LEAF -- Leaves are one of the most obvious features of the tree, and are often the easiest way to identify most species. The arrangement, shape, and leaf edges can be very useful... unless the leaves have fallen.
• FRUIT -- The wide variety of fruit shapes can make them useful when identifying trees.
• TWIG -- You can tell a lot just by looking at the twig.
• BARK -- Bark can be helpful for identifying some types of trees, and unlike leaves, its always there.
• FORM -- The overall form of the tree can provide clues to which species you are observing.

The key to identification is recognizing as many of these characteristics as possible to give you an accurate idea of exactly what tree you have. Now that you know the basic information, its time to think about how you identify a tree, if you have no idea what it is.

More help with tree ID.

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