Tree identification key: identify a tree
Identify broadleaved, coniferous and fruit trees in a few questions: leaf shape and arrangement, margin, needles and fruit. With a drawing for every choice.
Trees
From oak and beech to fruit trees and conifers.
Look at the leaves. What do you see?
- Needles or small scales: A conifer: narrow needles, or scales pressed close to the twig.
- A leaf blade: A broadleaf tree: flat leaves, even if they are lobed or compound.
Identify by feature
- Pinnate leaves
- Lobed leaves (like an oak)
- Palmate leaves
- Heart-shaped leaves
- Opposite leaves
- Long, narrow leaves
- White or silver underside
- Lopsided leaf base
- Spiny leaves
- Evergreen leaves
- Red autumn colour
- Soft needles
- Prickly needles
- Needles that fall
- Scales instead of needles
- Needles in bundles
- White blossom
- Pink blossom
- Hanging flower clusters
- Orange berries
- Winged seeds
- Nuts, acorns and chestnuts
- Pods
- White trunk
- Peeling bark