Identifying a particular type of tree for a layman can often be a tedious job. Here is a short guide which will help make things easier for you to some extent.

Enlarge Image Identifying Deciduous TreesIdentifying Coniferous Trees
There are different ways to identify a tree -- by bark, fruit, and leaves. Identification by bark and fruit can be a little tricky, since it's difficult to pinpoint a tree by its bark, and presence of fruits is not always certain. Thus, for a layman, identifying a tree by studying its leaves proves to be easier.

Trees can be broadly classified as deciduous trees and coniferous trees. The easiest way to identify whether a tree is deciduous or coniferous is on the basis of its leaves. Leaves of a deciduous tree are broad, whereas that of a coniferous tree are extremely narrow and, at times, overlapping. After you have confirmed which tree you are looking at, the following steps will help you identify its common name.

Deciduous Trees
Before we begin the actual identification of deciduous trees, there are some key points to be kept in mind, as these form the basis of your identification guide. When you are observing a tree, first notice its branching style -- whether it is opposite or alternate (as shown in the figure). The next step is to determine whether the leaves are simple or compound (see figure). This is followed by the different types of edges of the leaves.

Once you are ready with these three points, you can proceed to narrow down the type of deciduous tree you are looking at.

✦ Branching - Opposite or Alternate


✦ Leaves - Simple or Compound



Simple Leaf

Compound Leaf
• Simple Leaves -- The leaves which have a single leaf blade and are not divided into leaflets are called simple leaves.

• Compound Leaves -- The leaves which have two or more leaflets having a common stalk or branch are called compound leaves.

✦ Leaf Edges - Smooth, Lobed, or Toothed


Smooth

Lobed

Doubly-toothed

Singly-toothedBack
✦ If branches are opposite and leaves are compound


Boxelder (3-5 leaflets)

Ashes (7-14 leaflets)
✦ If branches are opposite and leaves are simple


MaplesBack✦ If branches are alternate and leaves are compound
when leaves are singly compound



Walnutwhen doubly & singly compound



Honey Locust
✦ If branches are alternate and leaves are simple
» If the leaves are lobed



Oaks» If the leaves are unlobed and doubly-toothed

... with an uneven leaf base



Elms... with an even leaf base



BirchesBack» If the leaves are unlobed and smooth or singly-toothed

... with an uneven leaf base



Basswood

Hackberry... with an even leaf base


Cherry

Poplar

Willows

Aspens
BackConiferous Trees
Compared to deciduous trees, identification of coniferous trees is simpler. Again, begin with the type of leaf you are looking at -- needle-shaped or cone-shaped, and then proceed to the next step.

✦ Leaves - Scales or needles


Scale-shaped

Needle-shaped
✦ If the leaves are scale-shaped


Cedar
✦ If the leaves are needle-shaped
... with a bunch of 2 to 5 needles



Pine... with a bundle of > 12 needles



Larch... with flat needles



Fir (single leaves)... with 4-sided needles



Spruce (single leaves)
Needless to say, tree identification, especially in a forest area, requires a lot of patience and an eye for detail. This, of course, does not make it any less of an interesting experience for nature lovers!