TREE FINDER

A Manual for the Identification.

of Trees by Their Leaves

May Theilgaard Watts

CADE
TO USE THIS KEY

1. Select a typical leaf from the tree you wish

to identify. Avoid freaks.

2. Start at the top of Page 5 or

3. Proceed step by step, considering

both choices under each symbol or

4. When you have made the final choice, arriving

at the name of the leaf, compare your leaf with
the illustration, and check the other features shown.

advice: examine pages 1, 2, 3, and 4, before starting on page 5

TREE
FINDER
A Manual for the Identification

of Trees by Their Leaves

by May Theilgaard Watts

Nature Study Guild 1963, 1991. Rev 1998.

NATURE STUDY GUILD PUBLISHERS

An imprint of AdventureKEEN, Birmingham, Alabama
adventurewithkeen.com
 0
DISTRIBUTION OF NATIVE TREES
areas shown on the small green maps beside the trees are those in which the tree grows wild. Some of these
trees are planted by people over a much wider area.
AREA COVERED BY THIS BOOK Some
northern
shown in
Some trees have only trees extend
a narrow green southward
distribution.
along the
mountain

YELLOWWOOD tops.
RED SPRUCE
Some southern trees
extend
HARDY north
CATALPA ward

Some trees have a

wide distribution.
Lūd up the
river
valleys.

BALD CYPRESS

Some trees follow the coast

EASTERN
LIVE OAK
COTTONWOOD
2 the HABITAT of a tree, the place where it is likely to grow naturally,
is indicated beside the leaf of each NATIVE TREE

lowland.
the edge of
the forest.. tolerating
moderate shade....
C
banks of streams
and lakes.. small tree in
the shade of tolerating
tall trees. heavy shade....

bogs..
mixed forest of eastern

evergreen and mountains.

deciduous trees.

upland.

evergreen forest..
Most of the habitats indicate
sand and in this book are a comb
gravel. nation of two or more of th

deciduous forest.
situations shown on this pag
and the next.
 the PLACE of a tree in Association with PEOPLE is shown beside the leaves
of introduced trees and some native trees

from
BB pioneer in
disturbed
areas...
Irm planted in parks,
parkways, yards.
across the sea.

planted
brought from the pioneer after fire.. about

western mountains. houses.....

tolerating the of one sort.

conditions
pioneer after
of
cutting of forest
cities.
or another...

pasture
pioneer

as the
times and styles
roadsides and change
fence-rows...

the same kinds of trees are found in

fence-rows, pastures, and the edge of the forest.
 SHAPES
O
The tree shapes shown in this book are
the shapes of mature trees. Tree shape
can change with age. Below are shown six
stages in the life of an American Elm.

The tree shapes shown below have been modified by:

or people or disea
shade, or wind or cows

The leaf shape may depend, in part, on its position on the tree:

on a
on shaded on the sunny
vigorous
seedling.....
lower
branches....
topmost
gl
branches....

BUR OAK BUR OAK BUR OAK

START If the tree has needles, start with this symbol, this page

HERE
If the tree has leaves, start with this symbol, page 14

If the needles are long, 3/4 inch to 18 inches,

go below, to

If the needles are short, scale-like, overlapping,

go on page 13, to U

If the needles are in bundles or tufts,

go below, to

If the needles are borne singly,

go on page 10, to

If the needles are in bundles of 2 to 5,

go on page 6, to

If the needles are deciduous, many in a tuft,

go on page 6, to
0

If the branchlets are drooping, and the cones

are about 1 inch long.
it is EUROPEAN LARCH
Larix decidua
north
LAGHES Epurt of
its rurye,
If the branchlets are not drooping, and the
cones are about ½ inch long.
in south
it is AMERICAN LARCH part

or TAMARACK of its range

Larix laricina

If there are 5 needles in a bundle,

it is WHITE PINE
Pinus Strobus

If there are 2 or 3 needles in a bundle,

go on next page, to YV
 If there are 2 needles in a bundle,
go on page 8 to

If there are 3 needles in a bundle,

go below to

If the needles are less than 5 inches long.

yellow-green, twisted, the trunk and branches
may be bearded with needles,
it is PITCH PINE
Pinus rigida

If the needles are 5 or more inches long.

go below to

If the needles are stout, long, 5 to 8", not

twisted, (some bundles have only 2 needles),
it is PONDEROSA PINE
or WESTERN YELLOW PINE
Pinus ponderosa
Off
If the needles are slender,
go below to

if the needles are 6 to 9, rather stiff, it is LOBLOLLY PINE

Pinus Taeda

A If the needles are very long, 8" to 18", with a

ragged sheath, it is LONG-LEAF PINE
Pinus palustris
O If the needles are short, less than 3".

go below to

If the needles are long, 3" to 8",

V₁₁
go on page 9 to

If the needles are 13 long, thick, spreading

away from each other (divergent),
it is JACK PINE
Pinus Banksiana

If the needles are 2" to 3" long, slender, slightly

Vtwisted, slightly divergent,
it is SCRUB PINE
Pinus virginiana

If the needles are 2" to 3" long, slightly twisted,

and the tree has branches of orange color,
it is SCOTCH PINE
Pinus sylvestris
 If the needles are slender, 3 to 5 long on a
whitish twig, (some bundles with 3 needles),
it is SHORTLEAF PINE **/
Pinus echinata

If the needles are slender, brittle; the twigs not

white; the sheath long.
it is RED PINE
or NORWAY PINE
Pinus resinosa

If the needles are stout, curved, not brittle, the

sheath ragged, short,
it is AUSTRIAN PINE
Pinus nigra
10

If the needles are stiff, sharp, 4-sided, (can be

twirled between the thumb and finger), and
leave the twig rough when they fall off.
go below to

If the needles are flat and pliable,

go on page 12 to

If the needles are extremely sharp, and the

branches form a flat, horizontal spray,
it is COLORADO SPRUCE
Picea pungens

If the needles are not very sharp, nor the

branches noticeably horizontal,

go below to

If the branchlets droop, and the cones are 4"

to 6º long.
it is NORWAY SPRUCE
Picea Abies
X रं
If the branchlets do not droop, and the cones
are shorter,
go on next page, to
 in north
part of
its range
If the needles are short, less than 34, and the
buds and twigs are hairy,

it is BLACK SPRUCE inpartsouth park

of range
Picea mariana

S
If the needles are 4 or more, and the twigs
and buds are hairy,
it is RED SPRUCE
Picea rubens

If the needles are blue-green, and the twigs are

hairless,
it is WHITE SPRUCE
Picea glauca
12 If the needles are 2-ranked, (like hair divided
by a comb), go below to

If the needles are not 2-ranked, branchlets

drooping, buds red-brown, pointed,
it is DOUGLAS FIR
Pseudotsuga menziesii

If the needles are whitenedgobeneath,

below to n

If the needles are not whitened beneath, but of

graduated lengths along the twig that is shed
with them,
it is BALD CYPRESS
Taxodium distichum

If needles have broad bases, and leave twig

smooth when they fall,
it is BALSAM FIR
(upper right) Abies balsamea

In the mountains of N. Car., Tenn., Va...

it is a slightly different fir called,
FRASER FIR
Abies Fraseri

If needles are about 4 inch long, have a

narrow base, and leave the twig rough when
they fall, it is EASTERN HEMLOCK
Tsuga canadensis
 (13)

If all the needles are scale-like

go below to

If part of the needles are small and scale-like

and part are sharp and prickly,
it is RED CEDAR
Juniperus virginiana

If the needles are flat, forming a flattened spray;

and if there are numerous cones; and the
tree is in a swampy or limestone area,
it is ARBOR VITAE
Thuja occidentalis

If the needles are narrow scales, not in flat

sprays, and if the numerous 4 to 4 cones
are globular, and if the tree is in a coastal
swamp,
it is ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR
Chamaecyparis thyoides
14 If the leaves or buds
grow opposite like this,

go below to

If the leaves or buds

grow alternately like this,

go on page 21 to N
If the leaves are compound, composed of.
several leaflets, (you can tell leaves from
leaflets because there is no bud at the base of
a leaflet),
go below to

x+to
If the leaves are simple, (not composed of
leaflets).
go on page 18 to OP

If the 5 or more leaflets radiate from one

point,

TK go on page 15 to

If the leaflets do not radiate from one point, or

if there are only 3 leaflets,
go on page 16 to
 15
If there are usually 5 leaflets and each leaflet
has a short stalk, and the winter buds are not
sticky.
go below to

If there are usually 7 leaflets, doubly-toothed,

and the leaflets have no stalks, and the
winter buds are sticky,

it is HORSE CHESTNUT
Aesculus Hippocastanum
See illustration on page 14

If the leaflets are irregularly

and bluntly toothed, and the
end buds are keeled, and the
twigs have a disagreeable
smell when bruised,

it is OHIO BUCKEYE
Aesculus glabra

If the leaflets are regularly and

finely toothed and the end
buds are not keeled.
it is

SWEET BUCKEYE
YELLOW BUCKEYE
Aesculus octandra
 16

If the leaflets are of different sizes and shapes,

or
it is BOX ELDER
Acer Negundo

If the leaflets are similar in size and shape,

go below to
KRISIN

If each leaflet has a short stem,

go below to

AMBES
If the leaflets have no stem,
it is BLACK ASH
Fraxinus nigra
*4
If the leaflets are regularly toothed, and the
twig is square, or with 2 long lines from leaf
scars.

it is BLUE ASH
Fraxinus quadrangulata

If the leaflets are not regularly toothed, or only

toothed along the tip half of the margin, and
the twig is round,

go on next page to
 17

If the twigs and leaf stalks are hairy,

it is RED ASH
BO Fraxinus pennsylvanica

If the twigs and leaf stalks are not hairy.

go below to

If the leaflets are whitish beneath,

it is WHITE ASH
Sy Fraxinus americana

If the leaflets are green on both sides,

it is GREEN ASH
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
subintegerrima
18

If each leaf has a single main vein with smaller

side veins, and is without teeth or lobes,

go on page 21 to 40
If each leaf has 3 to 7 main veins radiating
from one point, and is lobed,

go below to
NA

If the notches between the lobes are V shaped,

(either a broad or narrow V),
543
go below to

If the notches are U shaped,

x
go on page 20 to DE
If the leaves are distinctly 5-lobed,
B
go on page 19 to NZ
If the leaves appear 3-lobed rather than
5-lobed, (the 2 basal lobes being small or
absent),

go on page 19 to
 19

If the leaf is rough-textured with an intricate

network of veins, and is not white-downy
beneath,
it is SYCAMORE MAPLE
Acer Pseudo-Platanus
picture on page 18

If the end lobe narrows toward its base, and

the notches between the lobes are deep, and
the under-surface is white-downy,
it is SILVER MAPLE
Acer saccharinum over most
of its range
x*

If the leaf surface is rough with a network of

depressed veins, and the lobes are drawn out on the
to long tapering tips, and the teeth are all of prairie

somewhat the same size, and the tree is small, edge and
northeast
shrubby,

go on page 20 to

If the leaf surface is smooth, and the teeth of

irregular sizes, and it is not a shrub,
it is RED MAPLE
Acer rubrum
20
If leaves are finely-toothed,
hairless; bark green with white
stripes, it is
STRIPED MAPLE
Acer pensylvanicum
(upper right)

If leaves are coarsely toothed.

and white hairy beneath with
hairy twigs, it is

MOUNTAIN MAPLE
Acer spicatum (upper left)

If leaf stem shows a milky

juice when broken; leaf
usually wider than long; base
of leaf not curving.
it is NORWAY MAPLE
Acer platanoides (lower left)

If there is no milky juice; leaf about as

long as wide; base of leaf curving, it is
SUGAR MAPLE
Acer saccharum (lower right)

(A similar tree, but with leaves hairy

beneath, 3 lobed, with sides drooping, is
BLACK MAPLE
Acer nigrum)
 If the leaf tapers to both ends, and the veins The 21

curve to follow the margin,

it is FLOWERING DOGWOOD
Cornus florida

If the leaf is 6 to 12" long, heart-shaped,

it is HARDY CATALPA
Catalpa speciosa

If the leaves are compound, composed of

several leaflets, (you can tell leaves from
leaflets because there is no bud at the base of
a leaflet),

go below to

If the leaves are simple, not composed of

leaflets,

go on page 28 to

If leaflets" margins are smooth and unlobed

t go on next page to
T
If leaflets have toothed margins, or a basal
tooth or lobe

go on page 24 to
(22)
If tree is small, growing in a bog or dirch;
leaflets more than an inch long, tapering to a
V shape at both ends, (it may have drooping
clusters of white berries.) Don't touch it!
it is POISON SUMAC

A Toxicodendron vernix,

If the tree is not in a swamp or bog, and the

leaflets, or most of them, are rounded at one
end or both, (the tree may have pea-like pods)

go below to

If the leaves, or some of them, are doubly

compound, dividing and subdividing.

go on next page to iry

TUES If the leaves are singly-compound,

go below to

If leaf tips are pointed,

it is YELLOWWOOD (center)
Cladrastus kentukea

If leaf tips are rounded; twigs have short,

paired thorns, it is BLACK LOCUST K
Robinia Pseudo-Acacia
 23
If the leaflets are less than 14°
long.

go below to

If the leaflets are 2" to 236" long.

it is KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE
Gymnocladus dioicus

If each leaf is a fern-like spray of

hundreds of small asymmetrical leaf
lets, shaped like flattened pea pods,
and the tree has no thorns,
it is MIMOSA SILK TREE
Albizia julibrissin
(center leaf)

If each leaflet is symmetrical, and the

tree has some compound and some
doubly-compound leaves, and the
has large thorns, usually
branched, (lacking in some horticul
tural varieties),
it is HONEY LOCUST
Gleditsia triacanthos
(lower right)
24
If there is one tooth, (occasionally 2), at each
side of the base of each leaflet,
it is TREE OF HEAVEN
Ailanthus altissima

If there are teeth continuously along the

margins of the leaflet, (in some cases the basal
sections of the leaflets are without teeth),

go below to

If the leaf has milky juice, and the base of the

leaf is enlarged to a cone that encircles next
year's bud, and the leaf stem and twig are
hairy, and the tree is crooked, shrubby, not
,
it is STAGHORN SUMAC
Rhus typhina

If there is no milky juice and the tree

tree-shaped.

go on next page to
 25

If all the leaflets are small, (not more than

134), on a small leaf, (usually not more than
6 to 7"), on a small tree with clusters of white
flowers or showy fruit,

go below to

If the leaflets are large, (usually 1/4" to 8"

long), on large leaves, (usually 8" or more), and
there is some evidence of nuts on or under the
tree,

go on next page to

If the leaflets have somewhat blunted tips and

are hairy beneath,
it is EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN-ASH
Sorbus aucuparia

If the leaflets have pointed tips and are

AMEACURTAIN hairless,
it is AMERICAN MOUNTAIN-ASH
Sorbus americana
26
If the crushed leaf is aromatic, and the end
leaflet, if present, does not narrow gradually to
an elongated, straight-sided V-base, and a long
section of the twig reveals layered pith, and the
√x+1
husks of the nuts do not separate into sections,

a go below to

If the end leaflet narrows gradually to a long,

straight-sided V-shape, and the 3 end leaflets
are usually distinctly larger than the basal
leaflets, and the husks of the nuts separate,

go on next page to

If the end leaflet is small or lacking, and the

side leaflets all taper continuously so that the
sides are not parallel at any point,
->>
it is BLACKJuglansWALNUTnigra
PASIf the end leaflet is present, and if the
sides of some of the leaflets are
parallel along the mid-section,
it is BUTTERNUT
WHITE WALNUT
Juglans cinerea
 (27
If the leaflets at the tip of the leaf are
much larger than the others, and if the
leaf has only 5 to 7 leaflets, go below to,
If the 3 tip leaflets are not much larger
CHORIES than the others, and the leaf has 7 to 11
leaflets, go below to

If the underside of the leaves, and the X4

stems and twigs, are covered with a
dense, matted wool,
it is MOCKERNUT HICKORY
Carya tomentosa
x4
If leaves and stem are smooth, and buds
are yellow or have yellow hairs,

go on next page to

If the leaf is 6 to 12" long, and the twig

is slender without an especially big end
bud, it is PIGNUT HICKORY
Carya glabra

If the leaf is 12" to 20" long, and the

twigs are thick, with very big end buds, in south
it is SHAGBARK HICKORY
Carya ovata
28

If the leaf is small, (usually less than 12"), x+ +$

and the leaflets, (usually 7), are slightly
hairy beneath, and the buds are mustard
yellow,
it is BITTERNUT HICKORY.
Carya cordiformis

If the leaf is 12" to 20" long, with 9 to 17

leaflets, and the buds have yellow hairs,
it is PECAN
Carya illinoensis

If the leaf has neither teeth nor lobes,

go on next page to

If the leaf has teeth of any kind, or a

wavy margin, or lobes,

go on page 33 to 016
If the leaf is tipped with a single bristle (like the
tip of a needle).

go below to

Ifthe leaf has no bristle at its tip, (the leaf may

be pointed or not),
SID

go on next page to
UM

If the leaf is dark green above and hairy

beneath,
it is SHINGLE OAK
Quercus imbricaria Alex
If the leaf is light green above and veiny
beneath, with a yellow midrib, and is to
1" wide,
it is WILLOW OAK x1-1
*1
Quercus Phellos
(30
If the leaf is heart-shaped, with veins branching
from the base, it is REDBUD
Cercis canadensis
If the leaf is not heart-shaped,
go below to

If the leaf widens toward the base, and the

veins are much branched, on a thorny, small
tree,
it is OSAGE ORANGE
ODD Maclura pomifera
If the leaf is widest toward the tip, or toward
the middle,
go below to

If all the leaves are unlobed,

XX
go on next page to

If some of the leaves on the tree have no lobes

but some are lobed, 92₂
go below to

If the leaves are thin and the bark and leaves

are aromatic, and there are 3 forms of leaves,
it is SASSAFRAS
102 Sassafras albidum
If the leaves are thick, almost evergreen, and
of several forms,
it is WATER OAK
Quercus nigra
If the leaves are only 2 to 5" long, thick, 31
and shiny, go below to
If the leaves are 5 to 20",
go below to

If the leaf is evergreen, with thickened in-rolled

edges, dark green and lustrous above, and
silvery-white and hairy below, it is LIVE OAK
Quercus virginiana

If the leaf is deciduous, net-veined, with

slender stem, go below to

If the leaf is widest near the tip end and has a

broad, flat midrib, it is SOUR GUM or TUPELO
Nyssa sylvatica

If the leaf is widest at the middle, with con

spicuous, netted veins, curving with the
undulating margin, it is PERSIMMON
Diospyros virginiana

If there is a line, or scar, completely encircling

the twig at each leaf, and the end buds are
large, go on next page to
If there is no line, and the buds are woolly,
without scales, and the leaf stems are very
short,
it is PAWPAW Asimina triloba
 - | rf
(32) If the leaves are evergreen, thick, leathery,
rusty-hairy beneath,
it is SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA
Magnolia grandiflora

If the leaves are deciduous and thin,

go below to

If the leaves are only 6 to 10, with silky

hairy end buds,

go below to

If the leaves are 10 to 35 long, and wider

toward the tip,

go on next page to

Hot
If the leaf is oval, thin,
it is CUCUMBER MAGNOLIA
Magnolia acuminata

If the leaf is widest near the tip end, with an E

abruptly-tapering tip,
it is SAUCER MAGNOLIA
Magnolia soulangeana
If the base of the leaf is heart-shaped, or 33
ear-lobed,
x+-+ x+-+
go below to

If the base of the leaf is tapered,

it is UMBRELLA MAGNOLIA
Magnolia tripetala

If the base of the leaf is deeply ear-lobed, and

the leaf is 8 to 18" long,
it is MOUNTAIN MAGNOLIA
Magnolia Fraseri
Center leaf

If the base is heart-shaped, and the leaf is

whitish-hairy beneath, 12" to 36",
it is LARGE-LEAVED MAGNOLIA
Magnolia macrophylla
andrea
Right hand leaf

If the leaf is evergreen, tipped with stiff, sharp

spines,
go on next page to

If the leaf is not evergreen,

go on next page to
 If the surface of the leaf is dull, and the edge is
34
not wavy. it is AMERICAN HOLLY
Ilex opaca
If the surface of the leaf is glossy, and the edge √x+
is wavy,
it is ENGLISH HOLLY
Ilex aquifolium

If the tree has thorns or thorn-like twigs, and

is small,

go on page 46 to
If the tree has no thorns or thorn-like twigs,

go below to

If the margin is toothed, or doubly-toothed

continuously along all or almost all of its
margin,

L go below to

If the leaf is either deeply or shallowly lobed

or waved, (but not continuously saw-toothed),
x+
go on page 51 to

If the leaf is lobed as well as saw toothed, and

is about as long as wide, with 3 to 5 main veins, A
1141 go on page 54 to
If the leaf is not lobed,
go on next page to
 If the teeth are all of about the same size,
go below to 35

If the margin is doubly-toothed, with small

teeth between the larger ones, or with slightly
deeper notches regularly spaced between teeth,
go on page 45 to 7
If the teeth are of the same number as the side
veins and terminate them,
go below to
If teeth are more numerous than side veins

and do not terminate them, go on page 37 to

If the leaf is 5" to 8" long, with teeth curving
toward the tip of the leaf, go on next page to
If the leaf is thin, (24 to 5" long), with
shallow teeth, go below to

If the leaf is 2" to 4" long, not twice as long as

wide, with inconspicuous teeth; and there are
only 5 to 9 pairs of veins,
it is EUROPEAN BEECH
Fagus sylvatica

A variety with bronze-purple leaves, is COPPER BEECH

FEECHES Fagus sylvatica purpurea

If the leaf is 3 to 5 long, more than twice as

long as it is wide, and the teeth are more
AMERICAN BEECH
conspicuous; and there are 9 to 14 pairs of
veins, it is Fagus grandifolia
(36

1X호

before
If the leaf is canoe shaped, with a short stem,
it is CHESTNUT
chestnut
blight Madhian
Castanea dentata

(This tree was mostly destroyed by chestnut

blight)

If the leaf is thick and pale beneath, with a

Wann
slender stem,
it is CHINQUAPIN OAK
Quercus Muehlenbergii
after
chestnut
blight
dead
with
root sprouts
 If the leaf stem is long. (at least half as long as
the blade), and the teeth are somewhat 37

blunted, and the blade is wide, with firm

texture and meshed veinlets,
go below to

If the leaf does not have this combination of

characteristics,
go on page 40 to

If the stem of the leaf is flattened,

go below to
H
W If the stem of the leaf is not flattened,
go on page 39 to

If the leaf blade is triangular, flat at the base,

go below to
If the leaf base is rounded,
go on page 38 to

If there are no glands on the leaf-stalk; the leaf

has a translucent border and is finely-toothed;
(12 or more teeth to an inch), and the tree is
shaped like an exclamation point,
it is LOMBARDY POPLAR
Populus nigra variety italica
If the leaf stalk has 2 or 3 glands at the base of
the blade, and the teeth are coarser, (about 5 to
8 to an inch). go on next page to
38

If the buds are sticky, and the leaf has a wide

mid-vein,

it is EASTERN COTTONWOOD
Populus deltoides
figure on page 37, bottom
x+

P9|
If the buds are slightly hairy, the mid-vein is
narrow and the leaf narrows suddenly to a
long, tapering tip.
it is PLAINS COTTONWOOD
Populus deltoides occidentalis
figure on page 37, right

If the leaf is not longer than it is broad, and

the teeth are many and fine,
it is TREMBLING ASPEN
Populus tremuloides

If the leaf is longer than broad, with teeth

coarse and few.

it is BIG-TOOTHED ASPEN
Populus grandidentata
 39

If the leaf has a rounded, or only slightly

pointed tip; and a heart-shaped base; and is
hairy, (sometimes only when newly unfolded),
it is SWAMP COTTONWOOD Whous
Populus heterophylla

If the leaf has a pointed tip, and fragrant buds,

go below to

If the leaf is oval, with a rounded base, and a

smooth, slender stem and twigs,
it is BALSAM POPLAR
Populus balsamifera
^
If the leaf is heart-shaped, and hairy on the
under-surface, stem and twigs,
it is BALM OF GILEAD
Populus gileadensis
(of unknown origin)
40
If the two side veins starting from the base of
the blade are longer and more conspicuous
than the other side veins,

Op
go below to

If the side veins are all of about equal

importance,
go on page 41 to

If the base of the leaf is definitely not

symmetrical,
go below to

If the base is symmetrical, or only slightly

asymmetrical, and the juice is milky, and some
leaves are lobed, others unlobed,

go on next page to

If the leaf is broad,

go on next page to

Y If the leaf is narrow, long-pointed with a short

730475

stem, and no teeth at the base,

it is HACKBERRY
Celtis occidentalis
 If the leaf is hairless, it is LINDEN
AY
AMERICAN BASSWOOD
Tilia americana

If the underside of the leaf is velvety-white,

it is WHITE BASSWOOD
(upper right) Tilia heterophylla x★

If the leaf is rough above and hairy beneath,

sometimes 2 or 3 lobed,

it is RED MULBERRY
Morus rubra
Minim
If the leaves are smooth above and not hairy
beneath, usually lobed,

it is WHITE MULBERRY
(lower right) Morus alba

If the leaves are long and narrow, many

veined, tapering gradually and steadily to a
long point, and the twigs are slender and
limber, with only one scale covering each bud,

go on next page to TE
If the leaves and twigs are not thus, and the
buds have more than one scale,
go on page 43 to
If the leaf has white, silky hairs, and tapers to
both ends,
it is WHITE WILLOW 88
Salix alba

If the leaf has no silky hairs,

go below to

If the leaf and twigs are drooping,

it is WEEPING WILLOW
Salix babylonica

If the twigs are not drooping.

go below to

If the leaf is narrow, deep green on both sides,

often sickle-shaped, with a downy stem, and a
rounded base, (vigorous sprouts have leaf-like xz
appendages called stipules, at the base of the
leaf stem),
it is BLACK WILLOW
Salix nigra

If the leaf is wide at the middle, pale green

above, paler beneath, and drooping,
it is PEACH-LEAVED WILLOW
Salix amygdaloides
If the veins are straight, parallel, seldom
branched,
it is SIBERIAN ELM
CHINESE ELM
Ulmus pumila

If the veins are somewhat curving and

branching.
go below to

If the leaf is 5 to 7" long and acid, and if there

are large, one-sided clusters of flowers or dried
fruit, it is SOURWOOD
Oxydendrum arboreum

If the leaf is 4" or less, go below to

If the leaf stem is about ½ to 4 as long as the

blade, and the base of the leaf is broadly -lex
rounded or slightly heart-shaped, and the stem
and undersurface are somewhat downy,
it is SERVICEBERRY
x+to
JUNEBERRY
Amelanchier arborea

If the leaf stem is short, and the base of the leaf

is not rounded or heart-shaped, and the leaf
and twig are bitter-tasting,
go on next page to
 If the leaf is soft, and the veinlets form a dense
net-work (especially conspicuous on the
under-surface), and the leaf narrows abruptly
to a long, tapering tip, and the tree has thorn
like, short twigs, and shaggy bark,
AK
->>
Prunus americana

If there are no thorn-like twigs, nor dense

net-work of veins, nor abruptly tapering point,
go below to

If the teeth are somewhat incurved, and the

leaf is narrow,
No go below to
If the teeth are out-curved and the leaf is oval,
CHERRIES
it is CHOKE CHERRY
Prunus virginiana

If the leaf is firm and somewhat leathery with a

rather broad mid-rib that is conspicuous on
the undersurface, where it sometimes bears
brownish hairs toward the base of the leaf,
it is BLACK CHERRY
Prunus serotina
If the leaf is thin, hairless,
it is PIN CHERRY
Prunus pensylvanica
If the base of the leaf is lop-sided,
45

go below to

If the base of the leaf is symmetrical,

go on page 49 to

If the leaf is rough beneath, as well as on the

upper surface, and if a flake of bark shows
42824
layers of red,
it is SLIPPERY ELM
Ulmus rubra

If the leaf is not rough beneath,

go below to

If the leaf base is only slightly lop-sided, and

there are usually some twigs with corky wings,
it is CORK ELM
Ulmus Thomasi

If the leaf is distinctly lop-sided, and either

sand-paper-like or smooth above,
it is AMERICAN ELM
Ulmus americana
46

If the thorns are smooth, tapering, often more

than an inch long.
go below to

If the thorns are like stunted, pointed twigs, or

stubby, blunt spurs,
go on page 48 to

x/

If the leaves are widest at the base,

go below to

If the leaves taper to the base,

go on next page to

If the triangular leaf is hairy, soft, with a thick,

hairy stem,
it is DOWNY HAWTHORN
Crataegus mollis
NOTE:

If the triangular leaf is smooth with a slender,

Hawthorns are too numerous
smooth stem,
cover completely, these are th
go on next page to common ones.
If some of the leaves are deeply 3-lobed, and
some unlobed, and the leaves are long
stemmed, with orange midribs,
it is WASHINGTON HAWTHORN
Crataegus Phaenopyrum

If the triangular leaf is smooth, not deeply

3-lobed,
it is THICKET HAWTHORN
Crataegus pruinosa

If the margin has two sizes of teeth, and the

leaf has deeply set veins,
it is DOTTED HAWTHORN
Crataegus punctata

If the margin has only one size of teeth, and

the leaf is smooth and leathery,
it is COCKSPUR HAWTHORN
Crataegus crus-galli
 If the leaf is not lobed, go below to

If the leaf is usually somewhat lobed,

go below to

If twigs, leaf stems, and undersurfaces are

woolly, it is PRAIRIE CRABAPPLE
Malus ioensis
If the leaves and twigs are not woolly,
it is WILD CRABAPPLE
Malus coronaria

If the leaf surface, especially the undersurface,

shows an intricate network of veins, and the
leaf has a long, tapering tip, and the spurs are
slender,
it is AMERICAN PLUM
see illustration page 44 Prunus americana

If the surface shows no intricate network, and

06
the spurs are stout, go below to

If there is soft, woolly hair on the new shoots,

and on the underside of the leaves, and on the
leaf stems, and the spurs are seldom sharp
0 tipped, it is COMMON APPLE Malus sylvestris
If the leaf surfaces are smooth, and the margins A
have rounded teeth, and the spurs are usually
sharp-tipped, it is COMMON PEAR Pyrus communis
 49
If the leaf has a blunt tip,
it is EUROPEAN ALDER
Alnus glutinosa

If the leaf has a pointed tip,

go below to

If the bark (except on old trunks) is paper-smooth,

or shiny, or peeling, or ragged,

go below to

If the bark is grey-scaly, or dark blue

grey,
go on page 51 to

If the trunks are white,

go below to V
If the trunks are yellowish to red-brown,

go on next page to 四
If the leaf is triangular with a long tapering tip,
it is GRAY BIRCH
Betula populifolia
If the leaf is oval,

go on next page to O
50
If the buds are shiny with resin,
it is EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH
Betula alba

If the leaf buds are not sticky and shiny,

it is AMERICAN WHITE BIRCH
PAPER-WHITE BIRCH
Betula papyrifera

If the base of the leaf is slightly heart-shaped,

go below to
T
If the base of the leaf is wedge-shaped, the bark
ragged and shaggy. it is RED BIRCH
RIVER BIRCH
Betula nigra

If the bark is dark brown, not peeling,

it is CHERRY BIRCH
Betula lenta

If the bark is bronze, or silvery, peeling in thin,

curly flakes,
it is YELLOW BIRCH
Betula alleghaniensis
If the veins are unbranched, the base of the
leaf is rounded, (51)
it is BLUE BEECH
AMERICAN HORNBEAM
Carpinus caroliniana

If the veins are somewhat branched, and the

base of the leaf slightly heart-shaped,
it is IRONWOOD
Ostrya virginiana

If the margin has waves, hardly indented

deeply enough to be called lobes,
go below to

If the leaf is lobed,

go on page

If the leaf stem is long, (about as long as the

blade, or longer),

go on next page to

If the leaf stem is not as long as the blade,

go on next page to T
 ,
(52)
If the some
leafof
has
thea felt-like,
leaves
undersurface
maywhite
belobed),
it is WHITE POPLAR
Populus alba

If the veins are arranged like the ribs of a fan,

it is GINKGO
Figure page 54 Ginkgo biloba

xt
If the leaf is usually bristle-tipped, and widest
at the tip, and some leaves on the tree are
lobed,
go below to
MA
If there are no bristle tips,
go on next page to

ING
If the leaves are small, 2° to 4", shining on both
sides, almost evergreen, and there may be both
lobed and unlobed leaves, and wavy-edged
leaves, and leaves with and without bristles,
all on the same tree, it is WATER OAK
Quercus nigra
If the leaves are 4 to 6" long, usually with
bristles on the 3 to 5 waves or lobes, (sometimes,
without bristles), and the underside is rusty
hairy,
it is BLACKJACK OAK
Quercus marilandica
 53

If the waves are regular, and rounded, and the

leaves are broadly oval,
it is CHESTNUT OAK
Quercus Prinus
(left leaf)

If the waves are irregular, sometimes almost

deep enough to be called lobes, and the leaves
are soft and hairy beneath,
it is SWAMP-WHITE OAK
Quercus bicolor
(right leaf)

If the leaf has only 2, 3 or 4 lobes,

go on next page to

If the leaf has more than 4 lobes,

go on page 55 to
(54) If the leaf is fan-shaped with only 2 lobes, with
many veins fanning out from the base,
it is GINKGO *
Ginkgo biloba

If the leaf is not thus,

go on next page to x27/2

If there are 3 main veins starting at, or almost

at, the base of the leaf,
go below to

If there are 5 main lobes, and the leaf is star

shaped and aromatic,
it is SWEET GUM
Liquidambar Styraciflua

If the teeth are coarse, (2 to 3 to an

inch), and jagged,
it is SYCAMORE
Platanus occidentalis

Ifthe teeth are fine, (10 to 15 to an inch),

T
and rounded,
it is MULBERRY

go on page 41 to
If the tree has some lobed leaves and some
unlobed leaves, (55)
go below to

If the main vein ends in a notch, and the tip

looks cut off, it is TULIP TREE
Liriodendron Tulipifera
right-hand leaf

If the leaf is thin and some leaves are mitten

shaped, it is SASSAFRAS
Sassafras albidum
left-hand leaf

If the leaf is thick and leathery,

go on page 52 to

If the lobes are bristle-pointed.

go below to

Ifthe lobes are rounded,

go on page 58 to

If the leaf is not deeply lobed, (not more than

half-way to the mid-rib),
go on next page to

If the leaf is deeply lobed, (more than half-way

to the mid-rib),
go on next page to
56 If the leaf is small, white-downy beneath on a
small tree, it is SCRUB OAK
BEAR OAK
Quercus ilicifolia

If the leaf is not thus,

go below to

If the tip end of the leaf is narrow, long, (about

to the length of the blade),
it is SPANISH OAK
Quercus falcata
(lower right leaf)

If the leaf is not thus,

go on page 57 to

If the leaf is thin, firm, smooth beneath, 5 to x4

9 long, with lobes that taper toward their tips
usually more than 7-lobed,
it is RED OAK
Quercus rubra

If the leaf is thick, leathery, usually widening

toward the tip, usually 7-lobed, somewhat
hairy beneath, (the tree usually has several
different forms of leaves), and the buds are
angled, it is BLACK OAK
Quercus velutina
(upper right leaves)
 (57

If the lobes taper toward their tips and the leaf

is small, (3 to 4), often only 5-lobed, with a
wedge-shaped base,
it is PIN OAK
Quercus palustris

If the lobes broaden toward their tips,

go below to

If the leaf is dark green, shining, oval, on an

untidy-looking tree, usually with the lowest
branches dead,
it is HILL'S OAK
JACK OAK
¿ Quercus ellipsoidalis

If the leaf is thin, delicate, with lobes sometimes

almost enclosing oval spaces, and with a
yellow mid-rib,
it is SCARLET OAK
Quercus coccinea
58 If the leaf is small, (2" to 4"), and has ear-like
lobes at the base, and a very short stem,
it is ENGLISH OAK
Quercus Robur
(lower right leaf)
If the leaf is not thus,
go below to

If the lobes are square cut, with

the 3 end lobes much larger than
the others, it is POST OAK
Quercus stellata
(lower left leaf)

If the lobes are not thus,

go below to

If the lobes are somewhat similar

in size and shape,
it is WHITE OAK
Quercus alba
(upper left leaf)

If the middle of the leaf is cut

nearly to the midrib, on most of
the leaves, and the upper half of
the leaf is not deeply lobed,
~ IN
it is BUR OAK
Quercus macrocarpa
(upper right leaf)
Acer negundo 16 Carya guaba 27
Acer nigrum 20 Carya illinoensis 28
Acer pensylvanicum 20 Carya onata 27
Acer platanoides 20 Carya tomentosa 27
Acer pseudo platanus 19 Castanea dentata 36
Acer rubrum 19 CATALPA, HARDY 21
Acer saccharinem 19 Catalpa speciosa 21
Acer saccharum 20 CEDAR, ATLANTIC WHITE 13
Acer spicatum 20 CEDAR, RED 13
Aesculus glabra 15 Celtis occidentalis 40
Aesculus hippocastanum 15 Cecis canadensis 30
Aesculus ocatandra 15 Chamaecyparis thyoides 13
Ailanthus altissima 24 CHERRY, BLACK 44
Albizia pilibrissin 23 CHERRY, CHOKE 44
ALDER, EUROPEAN 49 CHERRY, PIN 44
Alnus glutinosa 49 CHESTNUT 36
Amelanchier arborea 43 Cladastrus kentukes 22
APPLE, COMMON 48 Cornas florida 21
ARBOR VITAE 13 COTTONWOOD, EASTERN 38
ASH, BLACK 16 COTTONWOOD, PLAINS 38
ASH, BLUE 16 COTTONWOOD, SWAMP 39
ASH, GREEN 17 CRABAPPLE, PRAIRIE 48
ASH, RED 17 CRABAPPLE, WILD 48
ASH, WHITE 17 Crataegus cna-galli 47
Asimina triloba 31 Crataegus mollis 46
ASPEN, BIG-TOOTHED 38 Crataegua phaenopymam 47
ASPEN, TREMBLING 38 Cratageus prinosa 47
Crataegus punctata 47
BALM OF GILEAD 39 CYPRESS, BALD 12
BASSWOOD, AMERICAN 41
BASSWOOD, WHITE 41
Diospyros virginiana 31
BEECH, AMERICAN 35
DOGWOOD, FLOWERING 21
BEECH, BLUE 51
BEECH, COPPER 35 ELM, AMERICAN 45
BEECH, EUROPEAN 35 ELM CHINESE 43
Benela alba 50 ELM, CORK 45
Betula alleghaniensis 50 ELM, SIBERIAN 43
Benula lenta 50 ELM, SLIPPERY 45
Betula lutea 50
Betula nigra 50
Fagus grandifolia 35
Betula papyrifera 50
Fags latica 35
Betula populifolia 49
Fagus sylvatica purpurea 35
BIRCH, AMERICAN WHITE 50
FIR, BALSAM 12
BIRCH, CHERRY 50
FIR, DOUGLAS 12
BIRCH, EUROPEAN WHITE 50
FIR FRASER 12
BIRCH, GRAY 49
Fraxis americana 17
BIRCH, PAPER WHITE SO
Fraxin nigra 16
BIRCH, RED 50
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 17
BIRCH, RIVER 50
Fraxina pennsylvanica
BIRCH, YELLOW 50
BOX ELDER 16
binargema 17
Fraxinus quadrangulata 16
BUCKEYE, OHIO 15
BUCKEYE, SWEET 15
BUCKEYE, YELLOW 15 GINKGO 54
BUTTERNUT 26 Ginkgo biloba 54
Gleditsia enacanthos 23 Mala coronaria 48

GUM, SOUR 31 Malus ioensis 48

GUM, SWEET 54 Malus sylvestris 48
Gymnocladus dioicus 23 MAPLE, BLACK 20
MAPLE, MOUNTAIN 20
HACKBERRY 40 MAPLE, NORWAY 20
HEMLOCK, EASTERN 12 MAPLE, RED 19
HAWTHORN, COCKSPUR 47 MAPLE, SILVER 19
HAWTHORN, DOTTED 47 MAPLE, STRIPED 20
HAWTHORN, DOWNY 46 MAPLE, SUGAR 20
HAWTHORN, THICKET 47 MAPLE, SYCAMORE 19
HAWTHORN, Morus alba 41
WASHINGTON 47 Morus rums 41
HICKORY, BITTERNUT 28 MOUNTAIN-ASH,
HICKORY, MOCKERNUT 27 AMERICAN 25
HICKORY, PIGNUT 27 MOUNTAIN-ASH,
HICKORY, SHAGBARK 27 EUROPEAN 25
HOLLY, AMERICAN 34 MULBERRY, RED 41
HOLLY, ENGLISH 34 MULBERRY, WHITE 41
HORNBEAM, AMERICAN 51
HORSE CHESTNUT 15 Nyssa sylvatica 31

Ilex aquifolium 34 OAK, BEAR 56

llex opaca 34 OAK, BLACK 56
IRONWOOD 51 OAK, BLACKJACK 52
OAK, BUR 58
Juglans cinerea 26 OAK, CHESTNUT 53
Juglans nigra 26 OAK, CHINQUAPIN 36
JUNEBERRY 43 OAK, ENGLISH 58
Juniperus virginiana 13 OAK, HILL'S 57
OAK, JACK 57
KENTUCKY COFFEE TREE 23 OAK, LIVE 31
OAK, PIN 57
LARCH, AMERICAN 6 OAK, POST 58
LARCH, EUROPEAN 6 OAK, RED 56
Larix decidua 6 OAK, SCARLET 57
Larix laricina 6 OAK, SCRUB 56
LINDEN 41 OAK, SHINGLE 29
Liquidambar styraciflua 54 OAK, SPANISH 56
Liriodendron tulipifera 55 OAK, SWAMP-WHITE 53
LOCUST, BLACK 22 OAK, WATER 30652
LOCUST, HONEY 23 OAK, WHITE 58
OAK, WILLOW 29
Machura pomifera 30 OSAGE, ORANGE 30
Magnolia acuminata 32 Ostra virginiana 51
MAGNOLIA, CUCUMBER 32 Orydendrum arboreum 43
Magnolia fraseri 33
Magnolia grandiflora 32 PAWPAW 31
MAGNOLIA PEAR, COMMON 48
LARGE LEAVED 33 PECAN 28

Magnolia macrophylla 33 PERSIMMON 31

MAGNOLIA, MOUNTAIN 33 Picea abies 10
MAGNOLIA, SAUCER 32 Picea glauca 11
Magnol a soulangeana 32 Picea mariana 11
MAGNOLIA, SOUTHERN 32 Picea pungens 10
Magnolia mpetala 33 Picea rubens 11
 Quercus
PINE, LUBLULLY 7

58
robur
Quercus
PINE, LONG-LEAF 7
PINE, NORWAY 9 Quercus rubra 56
PINE, PITCH 7 Quercus stellata 58
PINE, PONDEROSA 7 Quercus velutina 56
PINE, RED 9 Quercus virginiana 31
PINE, SCOTCH 8
PINE, SCRUB 8 REDBUD 30
PINE, SHORTLEAF 9 Rhus typhina 24
PINE, WESTERN YELLOW 7 Robinia pseudo-acacia 22
PINE, WHITE 6
Pinus australis 7 Salix alba 42
Pina banksiana 8 Salix amygdaloides 42
Pinus echinata 9 Salix babylonica 42
Pinas nigra 9 Salix nigra 42
Pinus palustris 7 SASSAFRAS 30655
Pinus ponderosa 7 Sassafras albidum 30855
Pinus resinosa 9 SERVICEBERRY 43
Pinus rigida 7 SILK TREE 23
Pinus strobus 6 Sorbus americana 25
Pinus sylvestris 8 Sorbus aucuparia 25
Pinus tanda 7 SOURWOOD 43
Pinus virginiana 8 SPRUCE, BLACK 11
Platanus occidentalis 54 SPRUCE, COLORADO 10
PLUM, AMERICAN 44&48 SPRUCE, NORWAY 10
POPLAR, BALSAM 39 SPRUCE, RED 11
POPLAR, LOMBARDY 37 SPRUCE, WHITE 11
POPLAR, WHITE 52 SUMAC, POISON 22
Populus alba 52 SUMAC, STAGHORN 24
Populus balsamifena 39 SYCAMORE 54
Populus deltoides 38
Populus deltoides occidentalis 38 TAMARACK 6
Populus gileadensis 39 Taxodium distichum 12
Populus grandidentata 38 Thuja occidentalis 13
Populus heterophylla 39 Tika americana 41
Populus nigra italica 37 Tilia heterophylla 41
Popuhas tremaloides 38 Toxicodendron semix 22
Prunie americana 44&48 TREE OF HEAVEN 24
Prunes pensylvanica 44 Tsuga canadensis 12
Prunus serotina 44 TULIP TREE 55
Prunus virginiana 44 TUPELO 31
Pseudostuga menzii 12
Pyrus communis 48 Ulmus americana 45
Ulmus pumila 43
Querca alba 58 Ulma na 45
Quercus bicolor 53 Ulme thomas 45
Quercus coccinea 57
Quercus ellipsoidalis 57 WALNUT, BLACK 26
Quercus falcata 56 WALNUT, WHITE 26
Quercus dicifolia 56 WILLOW, BLACK 42
Quercus imbricaria 29 WILLOW, PEACH-LEAVED 42
Quercus macrocarpa 58 WILLOW, WEEPING 42
Quercus marilandica 52 WILLOW, WHITE 42
Quercus muchlenbergi 36
Quercus nigra 30652 YELLOWWOOD 22
Quercus palustris 57
Other books in the pocket-sized "finder" series:

TREE FINDER- native and common introduced trees

FLOWER FINDER-spring wildflowers & flower families
WINTER TREE FINDER-leafless winter trees

for U.S. and Canada FERN FINDER- native terns of the Midwest and Northeast

east of the Rockies BERRY FINDER- native plants with fleshy fruits
TRACK FINDER- tracks and footprints of mammals

LIFE ON INTERTIDAL ROCKS organisms of North Atlantic coast

WINTER WEED FINDER- dry plant structures in winter

PACIFIC COAST TREE FINDER- native trees, Sitka to San Diego

for the Pacific Coast
+ PACIFIC INTERTIDAL LIFE-organisms of Pacific coast

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TREE FINDER- native Rocky Mountain trees

for Rocky Mtn. and
MOUNTAIN STATE MAMMALS-mammals, their tracks, skulls, and scat
desert states

for Stargazers CONSTELLATION FINDER-patterns in the night sky and star stones

, AL 35233
NATURE
( 888
) STUDY
604-4537
, GUIDES are published
naturestudy.com
. SEEby AdventureKEEN,
Birmingham
2204-1st
adventurewithkeen.com
for Ave.
our full
S., Suite
line
of 102, nature and outdoor activity guide
by ADVENTURE PUBLICATIONS, MENASHA RIDGE PRESS, and WILDERNESS PRESS, including many guides for
, and more.
NATURE /Trees From the Finders series: Learn to identify
trees by their leaves and needles with this
key to native and commonly introduced
trees of the United States and Canada east
of the Rockies.

30

P7 D
CIF 6 7 8 9 10

inches 3

-
209- LM
$5.95 U.S.
ISBN 978-0-912550-01-5 50595
Nature Study Guild Publishers 9 780912 550015
www.naturestudy.com