LEAF Tree Identification Cards

Dichotomous Keys

What is a dichotomous key? A dichotomous key is one tool that can be used to identify trees. This type of key is also used for flowers, animals, rocks, fish, and more!

A dichotomous key contains a series of choices that lead the user to the correct name of an item. "Dichotomous" means "divided into two parts." Therefore, a dichotomous key will always give two choices in a step.

This interactive online dichotomous tree key will help you identify some of the coniferous and deciduous trees native to Wisconsin.

This dichotomous tree key will help you identify some of the coniferous and deciduous trees native to Wisconsin. Ten coniferous and 32 deciduous trees are featured. This key is part of LEAF Unit 7-8, Field Enhancement 1, Tree Identification.

Lesson Idea

Here is a high school lab that Biology teacher Kevin Hall created. It uses the LEAF On-line Tree Key.

Word Document

PDF

LEAF Tree Identification Cards

Tamarack/White Pine (PDF)
White Birch/Red Oak (PDF)
Basswood/Black Cherry (PDF)
Shagbark Hickory/Box Elder (PDF)
Black Spruce/Jack Pine (PDF)
Ironwood/Black Oak (PDF)
Red Maple/Bur Oak (PDF)
Black Walnut/Red Pine (PDF)
Silver Maple/Northern Pin Oak (PDF)
Elm Species/River Birch (PDF)
Hackberry/Northern White Cedar (PDF)
Willow Species/Eastern Red Cedar (PDF)
Eastern Hemlock/Sugar Maple (PDF)
Black Ash/White Oak (PDF)
White Ash/White Spruce (PDF)
Beech/Eastern Cottonwood (PDF)
Green Ash/Balsam Fir (PDF)
Yellow Birch/Swamp White Oak (PDF)
Black Locust/Trembling Aspen (PDF)
Big-Toothed Aspen/Moutnain Ash (PDF)
Balsam Poplar (PDF)

Key for all cards (PDF)

Print, cut out, and laminate these cards featuring common Wisconsin trees. Hang them on trees to be identified or use them in the classroom. They are helpful resources when leaves, fruit, or seeds are not present or are too high on a tree to be examined. Supplement to LEAF Unit 7-8, Field Enhancement 1, Tree Identification.

Printable Tree Identification Terms

Definitions and drawings of common tree ID vocabulary.

Other Tree Identification Web Resources

Key to Wisconsin Woody Plants for the iPod Link
http://mywebspace.wisc.edu/cwoodwar/web/iPodKey.html

American Forests' Tree Doctor

Confused but curious about pruning? Baffled by bugs? Stumped by a tree ID? American Forests' Tree Doctor is in and online. Send your tree-related questions to an expert at treedoc@amfor.org and they'll respond directly to you.

Dichotomous Tree Key - EEK! Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

This is the DNR's tree ID site for kids. It utilizes descriptions and line drawings. Link

www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/treekey/index.htm

National Arbor Day Foundation

Detailed information on dozens of commonly planted landscape trees that grow throughout the United States as well as tree terms, forest layers, tree classification, and anatomy of tree.

www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/

Also from the National Arbor Day Foundation, line drawings of tree leaves found throughout the U.S. and an animated "how to" identify trees guide.Link

Tree and Shrub Identification - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Basic ID key with photos and descriptions of many Wisconsin tree species. Link

Trees of Wisconsin - Cofrin Center for Biodiversity

Features an on-line key and list of tree species with photos. Link

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Herbarium

An incredible collection of identification resources including photos, keys, and descriptions of natural communities, fungi, plants, and more. Link

UI Plants

A database on woody landscape plant identification, culture and usage for the Midwest, including native and introduced species and their major varieties and cultivars. Search by common or scientific name. Images and information on habitat, leaves, buds, stems, flowers, fruits, fall color, bark, and culture. Link