Opposite branching When you find a stem with two leaves (or buds) at each node, and the leaf pairs are directly across from each other, you have found opposite branching. This is a common arrangement in most trees. A good example of this is the maple tree. Look at the pictures below; notice how there…
NORTHERN RED OAK (Quercus rubra) Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Red Oak grows throughout the eastern half of North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota, and south to Florida and Texas. Northern Red Oak is a large tree, somewhat softer than White Oak, but highly valued for its timber. The tree has a distinctive…
Know your tree species There are many ways to identify a tree. It’s important to know the types of trees that grow in your area so you can learn how to spot them. To identify a tree, look at its leaves, flowers and fruit. The shape of the leaves is often enough information to tell…
Mature elm trees average 40 to 50 feet in height, but some species grow taller. You’ve probably heard that mature elm trees average 40 to 50 feet in height, but some species grow taller. The height of a mature elm tree typically ranges between 25 and 50 feet, but some species grow taller than this;…
Figure out if it’s a needle-like or scale-like leaf. The first thing you need to determine is whether the tree has needle-like or scale-like leaves. If the leaves are flat and narrow, overlapping each other like fish scales, then they’re probably scale-like. On the other hand, if the leaves are long and thin, usually not…
Red Spruce Red Spruce Picea rubens Found in north-central and northeastern parts of the U.S. Used for lumber, pulpwood, and Christmas trees Black Spruce Other Names: Black Spruce, Swamp Spruce, Bog Spruce Range: Alaska, northern Canada, and northern New England Habitat: Bogs and other wet areas Growth Rate: Slow Mature Shape: Narrow and conical White…
1. Arid Woodlands The first step to identifying a tree by its bark is to figure out whether you are dealing with a dead or living bark. When it comes to the texture of the bark, there are seven different types: smooth, flaky, fibrous, shallowly furrowed, deep furrowed and scaly. Often this texture varies from…
What is a palm tree? By now, you probably know what a palm tree is—and if you are on this page, chances are that your interest in them goes beyond the common knowledge above. This page is for those who want to learn more about palm trees: their many different shapes and sizes; the different…
Eastern White Pine This conifer is often grown as a Christmas tree. It can be found in the northern United States and Canada growing in moist soils. The cones are about 2 inches (5 cm) long and are blue-green in color. The needles are about 1 inch (3 cm) long, blue-green on the upper side,…
Three-needled evergreens Three-needled evergreens have cone-like structures that you can easily identify by looking for three needles. There are many species, including white spruce, black spruce and blue spruce. The needles of the white spruce are a blue-green color and grow to 1/2 inch long. Black spruce has dark green needles about 1/4 inch in…