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How to Identify a Tree by It's Foliage

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People have an innate curiosity about the natural world around them, and identifying a tree by its leaves can satisfy that curiosity. In addition, many people use trees for landscaping, so it's beneficial to know what species to look for when purchasing saplings. People who acquire property sometimes find mature trees that they may prefer to sell for lumber or move to another location. In each of these situations, the ability to quickly and accurately identify the trees by their foliage is useful.

Learning the Basics of Leaf Identification

Like any other form of research, leaf identification goes more smoothly with some basic guidelines. There are categories or families of leaves that will help you narrow your research to specific tree types. For example, some trees, such as Maple and Oak, have single leaves, whereas others, like Walnut and Ash, have a composite with many small leaves stemming from the same branch to form a cluster or frond. The shape of the individual leaves (lobed, sinuate, heart-shaped, ovoid and others) can also help identify the tree type. Armed with this basic information about the leaves, anyone can refer to a book or electronic resource that provides a wealth of information about each species, navigating the source more quickly thanks to the prior classification.

Using Field Guides

Bound field guides are the classic go-to source for identifying all kinds of things in nature, including trees. These have long been a useful resource for scientists conducting research as well as travelers and new residents unfamiliar with new terrain. Field guides are typically focused on the most common species and are sometimes targeted to a specific region. They include illustrations that help readers identify the species in question as well as information about where it grows, what conditions it requires to thrive and other useful facts. One of the key benefits of a field guide has historically been portability, as they are relatively compact books, presenting a variety of information in a condensed format.

Using Mobile Apps

If portability and accessibility have made field guide books a favorite for centuries, mobile apps that identify leaves, trees and other natural elements take portability to the next level. With the advent of smartphones and other compact mobile devices, you can perform extensive research almost anywhere. With the caveat that devices require electricity at some point to hold a charge, they are abundantly useful for short expeditions and field research close to home. An app can guide users through a step-by-step process that starts by asking where they are located, what type and shape the leaf is, and then it presents several options from which to choose, matching a sample of the leaf in question.

Choosing Trees for Landscaping

Homeowners, landscapers and others who wish to find the best species to plant have a different set of criteria that guides their research. Choosing trees that will be on site for years requires research, and it helps to learn the most prevalent species in the area to determine what will thrive. Mature trees that are already growing well in a given area provide a good indicator of what species are best for the local conditions. There are still considerations for the site, such as the full size of the mature tree, which come into play when deciding where and how many to plant. But narrowing down the field of trees to choose from makes that research simpler and more expedient.

Handling Mature Trees

Sometimes trees can present a barrier and must be relocated or removed. Moving large trees is a specialized task that requires sophisticated equipment and expertise to ensure the tree survives. Local research for tree estimates can help landowners and landscapers make the best decisions about where and how to move fully grown trees. In some cases, trees are too large or there is no good place to relocate them and harvesting the trees for lumber is the best course of action. When selling mature trees for lumber, it is essential to know the type of tree as there are different prices and applications for different types of lumber. After identifying the type of tree, resources such as the U.S. Forest Service can provide guidance for how and where to sell the lumber.