Tree Species Identification

Pinus sylvestris

• Common Name: Scots Pine

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Needles are in pairs, twisted, 4–7 cm long, and bluish-green.

  • Bark is thick and orange-brown at the top of the tree but gray-brown and scaly on the lower trunk.

  • Cones are egg-shaped, 3–7 cm long, and turn from green to brown when mature.

Liriodendron tulipifera

• Common Name: Tulip Tree

• Family: Magnoliaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, tulip-shaped leaves with four lobes and a distinct notch at the tip.

  • Flowers are tulip-like, greenish-yellow with orange bands at the base.

  • Bark is gray and smooth when young but becomes ridged and furrowed with age.

Picea glauca

• Common Name: White Spruce

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Needle-like leaves, 1–2 cm long, bluish-green, and arranged radially around the twig.

  • Cones are cylindrical, 3–6 cm long, light brown when mature.

  • Bark is thin, scaly, and grayish-brown.

Lonicera sp.

• Common Name: Honeysuckle

• Family: Caprifoliaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, opposite, and oval-shaped with smooth margins.

  • Flowers are tubular and fragrant, ranging in color from white to yellow, pink, or red.

  • Fruits are small, round berries, usually red, orange, or black when ripe.

Nyssa sylvatica

• Common Name: Black Gum or Black Tupelo

• Family: Nyssaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, alternate, and oval, with smooth margins and brilliant fall color (red, orange, or purple).

  • Bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed, resembling alligator skin.

  • Fruit is a small, dark blue drupe.

Prunus serotina

• Common Name: Black Cherry

• Family: Rosaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, alternate, and narrow with finely serrated edges.

  • Bark is dark and scaly, with a distinctive odor when scratched.

  • Small, white flowers in clusters, followed by dark purple-black fruit.

Cornus sericea

• Common Name: Red Osier Dogwood

• Family: Cornaceae

• Identification:

  • Stems are bright red, especially in winter.

  • Leaves are simple, opposite, with smooth edges and visible veins.

  • Small white flowers in clusters, followed by white or blue-tinged berries.

Platanus x acerifolia

• Common Name: London Plane-tree

• Family: Platanaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are large, palmately lobed, similar to maple leaves.

  • Bark is patchy, flaking off to reveal cream or yellow underbark.

  • Fruit is a spherical ball of seeds.

Tilia americana

• Common Name: Basswood

• Family: Malvaceae

• Identification:

  • Heart-shaped leaves with serrated margins.

  • Flowers are small, fragrant, and yellowish-white, growing in clusters.

  • Bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming furrowed with age.

Malus sp.

• Common Name: Apple

• Family: Rosaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, alternate, and oval with serrated edges.

  • Flowers are five-petaled, white or pink.

  • Fruit is round, typically red or green apples.

Larix decidua

• Common Name: European Larch

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Deciduous conifer with soft, light green needles that turn yellow in fall.

  • Needles grow in clusters on short spurs.

  • Cones are small, upright, and egg-shaped.

Ulmus pumila

• Common Name: Siberian Elm

• Family: Ulmaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are small, rough, and elliptical with serrated edges.

  • Bark is gray and fissured.

  • Produces flat, round, winged seeds (samaras).

Cercis canadensis

• Common Name: Eastern Redbud

• Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

• Identification:

  • Heart-shaped leaves, smooth edges, and alternate arrangement.

  • Pink or purple pea-like flowers bloom directly on branches (cauliflory).

  • Fruit is a flattened pod.

Pinus strobus

• Common Name: Eastern White Pine

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Soft, flexible needles in bundles of five.

  • Long, slender cones with thin scales.

  • Bark is smooth and greenish-gray when young, becoming rough and furrowed with age.

Pinus banksiana

• Common Name: Jack Pine

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Needles are twisted, 2-4 cm long, in pairs.

  • Cones are small, curved, and asymmetrical.

  • Bark is rough and scaly, grayish-brown.

Juniperus virginiana

• Common Name: Eastern Red Cedar

• Family: Cupressaceae

• Identification:

  • Scale-like leaves on mature trees, sharp needles on young trees.

  • Berry-like cones, bluish and fleshy.

  • Bark is reddish-brown and peels in strips.

Catalpa speciosa

• Common Name: Northern Catalpa

• Family: Bignoniaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, heart-shaped leaves with smooth edges.

  • Showy, white, trumpet-shaped flowers in large clusters.

  • Long, bean-like seed pods.

Salix babylonica

• Common Name: Weeping Willow

• Family: Salicaceae

• Identification:

  • Long, narrow, lance-shaped leaves with finely serrated margins.

  • Pendulous branches that droop toward the ground.

  • Bark is gray and deeply furrowed.

Gleditsia triacanthos

• Common Name: Honey Locust

• Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

• Identification:

  • Leaves are pinnately or bipinnately compound, small leaflets.

  • Large, twisted, brown seed pods.

  • Some varieties have thorns on the trunk and branches.

Acer negundo

• Common Name: Box Elder / Manitoba Maple

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with three to five leaflets.

  • Green, smooth twigs with a waxy coating.

  • Produces paired samaras (winged seeds).

Syringa reticulata

• Common Name: Japanese Tree Lilac

• Family: Oleaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, oval leaves with smooth edges.

  • Creamy white, fragrant flowers in large panicles.

  • Bark is smooth, grayish-brown, often with prominent lenticels.

Fagus grandifolia

• Common Name: American Beech

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, alternate, and toothed with straight veins.

  • Smooth, gray bark.

  • Nuts enclosed in a spiny husk.

Quercus macrocarpa

• Common Name: Bur Oak

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are large with rounded lobes and a deep central sinus.

  • Acorns have a fringed cap.

  • Bark is thick and deeply furrowed.

Quercus alba

• Common Name: White Oak

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are rounded with no bristle tips, evenly lobed.

  • Acorns are small, light brown, with a warty cap.

  • Bark is light gray and scaly.

Quercus rubra

• Common Name: Red Oak

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are pointed with bristle tips and deep lobes.

  • Acorns are large with shallow caps.

  • Bark has long, smooth ridges and a reddish hue.

Acer platanoides

• Common Name: Norway Maple

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, five-lobed leaves with pointed tips.

  • Milky sap exudes when the leaf stem is broken.

  • Produces paired, horizontally spread samaras.

Acer saccharum

• Common Name: Sugar Maple

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are five-lobed with smooth, U-shaped sinuses.

  • Bark is gray and develops vertical plates with age.

  • Paired samaras with nearly parallel wings.

Picea pungens

• Common Name: Blue Spruce

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Sharp, stiff needles that are bluish-green.

  • Cones are cylindrical, 6–10 cm long with thin, flexible scales.

  • Bark is grayish-brown and scaly.

Ulmus americana

• Common Name: American Elm

• Family: Ulmaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are rough-textured, doubly serrated, and asymmetrical at the base.

  • Produces flat, round, winged seeds (samaras).

  • Bark is deeply furrowed, dark gray with alternating light and dark layers.

Betula papyrifera

• Common Name: Paper Birch / White Birch

• Family: Betulaceae

• Identification:

  • Bark is white and peels off in thin, papery layers.

  • Leaves are triangular with doubly serrated edges.

  • Catkins are long and hang down in clusters.

Ostrya virginiana

• Common Name: Ironwood / Hop-hornbeam

• Family: Betulaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are elliptical with serrated edges, similar to birch leaves.

  • Bark is shaggy and peels in thin, vertical strips.

  • Fruits resemble hop-like clusters of small, papery sacs.

Gymnocladus dioicus

• Common Name: Kentucky Coffeetree

• Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

• Identification:

  • Large, bipinnately compound leaves, with each leaflet being oval and smooth-edged.

  • Thick, scaly bark with deep furrows.

  • Fruits are large, dark brown pods with hard seeds inside.

Ginkgo biloba

• Common Name: Ginkgo / Maidenhair Tree

• Family: Ginkgoaceae

• Identification:

  • Fan-shaped leaves with veins radiating from the base.

  • Leaves turn bright yellow in fall.

  • Seeds have a fleshy outer layer and a strong odor when ripe.

Aesculus hippocastanum

• Common Name: Horsechestnut

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, palmate compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets.

  • Showy white flowers with yellow or red spots in upright clusters.

  • Fruits are large, spiny capsules containing smooth, shiny seeds (conkers).

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

• Common Name: Green Ash / Red Ash

• Family: Oleaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 5-9 leaflets.

  • Bark is gray-brown with a diamond pattern.

  • Seeds are winged samaras that hang in clusters.

Fraxinus americana

• Common Name: White Ash

• Family: Oleaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 5-9 leaflets, lighter on the underside.

  • Bark is gray and deeply furrowed.

  • Seeds are large, winged samaras.

Elaeagnus angustifolia

• Common Name: Russian Olive

• Family: Elaeagnaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and silvery-gray.

  • Small, yellowish, fragrant flowers.

  • Fruits are small, silvery drupes.

Liquidambar styraciflua

• Common Name: American Sweetgum

• Family: Altingiaceae

• Identification:

  • Star-shaped leaves with 5-7 pointed lobes.

  • Leaves turn red, purple, or yellow in fall.

  • Fruits are spiky, round balls that contain seeds.

Celtis occidentalis

• Common Name: Hackberry

• Family: Cannabaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are rough, lance-shaped, with serrated edges.

  • Bark is gray with corky ridges and warts.

  • Produces small, dark purple berries.

Juglans nigra

• Common Name: Black Walnut

• Family: Juglandaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 15-23 leaflets.

  • Thick, dark brown to black bark with deep furrows.

  • Large, round, green fruits containing edible walnuts.

Picea abies

• Common Name: Norway Spruce

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Stiff, sharp needles, dark green in color.

  • Cones are large, cylindrical, and hang downward.

  • Branches droop as the tree matures.

Acer saccharinum

• Common Name: Silver Maple

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves have deep, V-shaped sinuses with silvery undersides.

  • Bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming shaggy and furrowed with age.

  • Produces large, paired samaras with wings.

Populus deltoides

• Common Name: Cottonwood

• Family: Salicaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, triangular leaves with coarse teeth.

  • Bark is thick and deeply furrowed.

  • Produces fluffy seeds dispersed by wind.

Morus alba

• Common Name: White Mulberry

• Family: Moraceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are variable, sometimes lobed, with serrated edges.

  • Bark is gray-brown with shallow ridges.

  • Fruit resembles blackberries, starting white and ripening to purple or black.

Taxus sp.

• Common Name: Yew

• Family: Taxaceae

• Identification:

  • Needle-like, flat, dark green leaves.

  • Produces bright red, berry-like cones.

  • Bark is reddish-brown and peels in thin strips.

Pinus nigra

• Common Name: Austrian Pine

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Needles are long (8-15 cm), stiff, and grow in pairs.

  • Cones are brown and oval-shaped.

  • Bark is dark gray and deeply fissured.

Larix laricina

• Common Name: Eastern Larch / Tamarack

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Deciduous conifer with soft needles that turn yellow in fall.

  • Needles grow in clusters on short spurs.

  • Cones are small, upright, and reddish-brown.

Acer rubrum

• Common Name: Red Maple

• Family: Sapindaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are three-lobed with serrated edges and turn vibrant red in fall.

  • Bark is smooth and light gray when young, becoming darker and more furrowed with age.

  • Paired red samaras (winged seeds) are a key identifier.

Platanus occidentalis

• Common Name: American Sycamore

• Family: Platanaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, maple-like leaves with 3-5 lobes.

  • Bark is patchy, peeling to reveal white, green, and brown patches.

  • Produces large, spherical seed balls.

Diospyros virginiana

• Common Name: American Persimmon

• Family: Ebenaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong with smooth margins.

  • Bark is dark and blocky, resembling alligator skin.

  • Fruits are small, round, and orange when ripe.

Pinus resinosa

• Common Name: Red Pine

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Needles are long (10-16 cm), in pairs, and break cleanly when bent.

  • Bark is reddish-brown and flaky.

  • Cones are ovoid, 4-6 cm long, with no prickles on the scales.

Carya ovata

• Common Name: Shagbark Hickory

• Family: Juglandaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 5 leaflets.

  • Bark is gray and peels off in long, shaggy strips.

  • Nuts are large, with thick husks that split open when ripe.

Ailanthus altissima

• Common Name: Tree-of-Heaven

• Family: Simaroubaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with many leaflets, each with one or more teeth at the base.

  • Bark is smooth and gray with lighter vertical stripes.

  • Produces clusters of winged seeds (samaras).

Carya cordiformis

• Common Name: Bitternut Hickory

• Family: Juglandaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 7-11 leaflets.

  • Bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming more ridged with age.

  • Nuts are small, with a thin husk and bitter-tasting kernel.

Magnolia acuminata

• Common Name: Cucumber Tree

• Family: Magnoliaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, oval leaves with smooth edges and pointed tips.

  • Yellow-green, tulip-like flowers.

  • Fruits resemble small, green cucumbers when young.

Sorbus americana

• Common Name: Mountain Ash

• Family: Rosaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 9-17 lance-shaped leaflets.

  • Clusters of small white flowers, followed by bright red-orange berries.

  • Bark is smooth and gray, becoming slightly fissured with age.

Tsuga canadensis

• Common Name: Eastern Hemlock

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Short, flat, dark green needles with two white stripes on the underside.

  • Small, oval cones that hang from the branches.

  • Bark is deeply fissured and reddish-brown.

Asimina triloba

• Common Name: Pawpaw

• Family: Annonaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, oblong leaves with smooth margins.

  • Fruits are large, oblong, and greenish, resembling small mangoes.

  • Bark is thin, grayish-brown, and smooth with shallow fissures.

Picea mariana

• Common Name: Black Spruce

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Short, stiff, blue-green needles.

  • Cones are small, spherical, and purplish-brown.

  • Bark is thin, scaly, and grayish-brown.

Pseudotsuga menziesii

• Common Name: Douglas Fir

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Needles are soft, flat, and radiate around the twig.

  • Cones have distinctive three-pronged bracts extending beyond the scales.

  • Bark is thick and deeply furrowed, reddish-brown.

Quercus palustris

• Common Name: Pin Oak

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are deeply lobed with pointed tips and U-shaped sinuses.

  • Acorns are small, round, with a shallow cap.

  • Bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming slightly fissured with age.

Betula alleghaniensis

• Common Name: Yellow Birch

• Family: Betulaceae

• Identification:

  • Bark is bronze or yellowish-gray and peels in thin, curly strips.

  • Leaves are oval with serrated edges and pointed tips.

  • Catkins are long and hang down in clusters.

Abies balsamea

• Common Name: Balsam Fir

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Flat, dark green needles with two white stripes on the underside.

  • Cones are upright, cylindrical, and purple when young.

  • Bark is smooth with resin blisters.

Castanea dentata

• Common Name: American Chestnut

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are long, serrated, and lance-shaped with bristled teeth.

  • Bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming deeply fissured with age.

  • Produces large, spiny husks containing edible chestnuts.

Juglans cinerea

• Common Name: Butternut

• Family: Juglandaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 11-17 leaflets.

  • Bark is light gray and deeply furrowed.

  • Produces oblong, sticky nuts with a rough, ridged shell.

Fagus sylvatica

• Common Name: European Beech

• Family: Fagaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are simple, alternate, and wavy with smooth edges.

  • Bark is smooth, light gray, and slightly ridged.

  • Nuts are enclosed in a spiny husk.

Thuja occidentalis

• Common Name: Eastern White Cedar

• Family: Cupressaceae

• Identification:

  • Scale-like, flat, dark green leaves.

  • Cones are small, elliptical, and brown.

  • Bark is thin, reddish-brown, and peels in strips.

Rhus typhina

• Common Name: Staghorn Sumac

• Family: Anacardiaceae

• Identification:

  • Pinnately compound leaves with 11-31 serrated leaflets.

  • Bark and young branches are covered with dense, velvety hairs (hence the name "staghorn").

  • Produces dense clusters of red, hairy fruits.

Corylus avellana

• Common Name: Common Hazelnut

• Family: Betulaceae

• Identification:

  • Leaves are round with double serrated edges.

  • Bark is smooth and grayish-brown.

  • Produces edible nuts enclosed in a leafy husk.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

• Common Name: Dawn Redwood

• Family: Cupressaceae

• Identification:

  • Deciduous conifer with soft, feathery needles that turn reddish-brown in fall.

  • Cones are small, round, and hang down from the branches.

  • Bark is reddish-brown and fibrous, peeling in vertical strips.

Picea abies

• Common Name: Norway Spruce

• Family: Pinaceae

• Identification:

  • Stiff, sharp needles, dark green in color.

  • Cones are large, cylindrical, and hang downward.

  • Branches droop as the tree matures.

Populus deltoides

• Common Name: Cottonwood

• Family: Salicaceae

• Identification:

  • Large, triangular leaves with coarse teeth.

  • Bark is thick and deeply furrowed.

  • Produces fluffy seeds dispersed by wind.