Basics of Tree ID

FRUIT

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All trees produce fruit. They come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. They can often be used to identify the tree. Be sure to always look carefully on the ground and in the tops of trees for fruit. Even small parts (like an acorn cap) can be helpful.  Below are some brief descriptions of but a small handful of the many types of fruit.

White pine cones are very large, cylindrical, 3 to 5 inches long, with rounded cone scales.

Sweetgum has a woody ball of capsules, 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter with openings in the surface that release 2 seeds from each capsule.

Black oak acorns are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, with a scaled cap covering 1/2 of the nut.

Sugar maple has paired samaras, each about 1 inch long.

Flowering dogwood has a shiny, oval red drupe, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, in clusters of 3 to 4.

Sycamore fruits are a ball of tiny winged achenes.

Pomes are apple-like. Serviceberry fruits are 1/4 inch pomes.

Persimmon has a plum-like berry that turns orange to black when ripe.

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• LEAF - Arrangement - Shape - Edges
• FRUIT
• TWIG
• BARK
• FORM