Tree Identification

LEAF Tree Key (On-Line)  Scotch Pine Cone
This on-line dichotomous tree key will help you identify some of the coniferous and deciduous trees native to Wisconsin.

Lesson Idea
Here is a high school lab that Biology teacher Kevin Hall created. It uses the LEAF On-line Tree Key.
MS Word version
PDF version
 

LEAF Tree ID Cards
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.
 
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)

Sample tree ID cards
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/Mountain Ash (PDF)
Balsam Poplar (PDF)

Key for all cards (PDF)
LEAF Tree Key (For Print)
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.
 
Tree Identification Terms (PDF)
Definitions and drawings of common tree ID vocabulary.
 

Other Tree ID Web resources
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.
 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.
www.arborday.org/trees/treeID.cfm

Tree and Shrub Identification - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Basic ID key with photos and descriptions of many Wisconsin tree species.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/treeid/index.htm

Trees of Wisconsin - Cofrin Center for Biodiversity
Features an on-line key and list of tree species with photos.
 www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/tree_intro01.htm

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Herbarium
An incredible collection of identification resources including photos, keys, and descriptions of natural communities, fungi, plants, and more.
http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/index.html

UI Plants
 http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/
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.

U.P. Tree ID - University of Michigan Extension
This fun site has several options for keying out a tree as well as ID background, terms, etc.
http://forestry.msu.edu/uptreeid/

Wood Identification Guide
This is a fairly technical guide for identifying wood samples but has interesting cross-sectional images of different tree species through a microscope.
www.cefts.org/woodwebpage.pdf