Tools for Tree Identification

This page lists online tools available for help in identifying different tree species. Search the list below for interactive keys, fact sheets, image galleries and other useful tools.
Tools for Tree Identification
Showing 15 of 50 ( Show All )
Collapse680 Tree Fact Sheets
Description: A collection of official fact sheets/species profiles of native and introduced trees and shrubs, developed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Southern Group of State Foresters. Each fact sheet provides morphology and life history information, range maps, known uses, and known pests and diseases. Users can browse for specific fact sheets alphabetically by scientific name or by common name.
Resource Type: Fact Sheets, Life Histories and Species Profiles
Resource Format: PDF
Publisher: University of Florida
CollapseAmerican Chestnut Tree Identification Resources For the Appalachian Trail Mega-Transect Chestnut Project May 2008 (PDF, 10 pp., 519 KB)
Description: How to identify American chestnut trees, Reproductive life-cycle of the American chestnut, Checklist for Data Collection, Other trees that might confuse, photographs of Chestnut and Chinquapin Leaves, comparison of American chestnuts and Chinese chestnuts, Chestnut Stems and Buds, Burs and Nuts: American vs. Chinese, Chestnut and Chinquapin Burs, Stipules, and Chestnut and Chinquapin Nuts.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: PDF
Publisher: The American Chestnut Foundation, Maryland Chapter
CollapseAmerican Chestnut Tree Identification Resources for the Appalachian Trail Mega-Transect Chestnut Project, May 2008 (PDF, 10 pp., 475 KB)
Description: Information about how to identify American chestnut trees. Discusses species similar in appearance, including horse chestnut, chestnut oak and chinkapin oak. Provides photographs of chestnuts, buds and stems, stipules, burs and nuts, and checklists of characteristics to look for.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: PDF
Publisher: The American Chestnut Foundation, Virginia Chapter
CollapseAn Interactive Key of Common Iowa Trees
Description: From the website: "Ready to get started identifying your tree? The following key is based on the use of only the leaves and branches, since they are the simplest parts of the tree to use for identification during the summer months when trees are in full foliage. To identify your tree, you'll be making a series of choices based upon sketches and tree characteristics. Through a process of elimination, you'll arrive at an identification of your tree. In some cases the trees have not been keyed out to the individual species."
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: Iowa State University Extension Forestry
CollapseBasic Tree Identification Techniques and Sources
Description: Topics on this education site include conifers, hardwoods, tree identification terms, field guides, and a variety of dendrology resources.
Resource Type: Bibliographies and Web Indexes, Checklists and Identification Guides, Issue Overviews, Journal Articles
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: About, Incorporated.
CollapseBasswood Trees
Description: This Extension Note provides information on ways to use, identify and grow the native species known as basswood. Sections include: Historical and Current Uses, How to Identify Basswood, Where Basswoods Grow Best, How to Grow and Care for Basswood, Basswood Health,
Resource Type: Fact Sheets
Resource Format: PDF
Publisher: Land Owner Resource Center
CollapseBe on the Look-out for the Asian Longhorned Beetle Attacking Trees
Description: Fact sheet with images identifying the Asian longhorned beetle and tree infestation.
Resource Type: Fact Sheets, Digital Photographs
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: USDA Forest Service, St. Paul Field Office
CollapseBradford Pear
Description: The fact sheet provides information on Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana), an introduced tree. The tree's origin, background, distribution, ecological threat, biology, prevention, and control methods are discussed.
Resource Type: Fact Sheets
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
CollapseBritish Trees
Description: An A-Z Tree Guide to discover, appreciate and identify tree species found in the British Isles. Also includes a glossary of terms associated with tree biology and morphology.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: Woodland Trust UK
CollapseCamphor Tree
Description: Website provides data for the Camphor tree with images. Also specifies how to identify tree, current control technologies and information for how the tree is spread.
Resource Type: Fact Sheets, Digital Photographs
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: University of Florida
CollapseChestnut species identification
Description: This Web Site is designed to help you distinguish among several species of the chestnut family (Castanea ) commonly seen in North America. We've also included three non-chestnut species that are often confused with chestnut.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: EarthLink, Inc.
CollapseChestnut Tree Identification Form
Description: This website is a printable form for chestnut tree identification. An address where chestnut tree leaf and twig samples can be sent is provided.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: The American Chestnut Foundation, Tennessee Chapter
CollapseCommon Trees of Pennsylvania
Description: From the website: "This selection of 57 native, and 5 introduced trees is organized according to leaf shape and arrangement. Each tree is identified by popular name familiar to Pennsylvanians and its complete scientific name. To use this site, first study the drawings on the Parts Page, then look at the Glossary until you understand Needle-like, simple and compound leaf shapes and alternate and opposite leaf arrangements. Then compare the tree you wish to identify with the trees in the appropriate section listed below."
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
CollapseCommon Trees of Pennsylvania Guide
Description: This publication is an identification key to Pennsylvania's common trees. An overview of terms used, leaf types and form, and functions of trees are discussed first to familiarize the reader with the material. Each species of tree has its own entry, which includes on leaf shape, twigs, fruit, bark, and general facts.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: PDF
Publisher: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
CollapseConifer Key
Description: This page provides a guide for identifying conifers. The trees can be identified from twigs. The page lists features and genus.
Resource Type: Checklists and Identification Guides
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: Smithsonian Institute, American Museum of Natural History
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