A Guide for Specific Tree Identification
Identification of the Hardwoods
Definition of the Hardwood Category
- HARDWOOD - Trees with broad, flat leaves as opposed to coniferous or needled trees. Wood hardness varies among the hardwood species, and some are actually softer than some softwoods.
- DECIDUOUS - perennial plants which are normally leafless for some time during the year.
- BROADLEAF - A tree with leaves that are broad, flat and thin and generally shed annually.
Identify trees known variously as hardwoods, deciduous, or broadleaf:
ash aspen beech basswood birch black cherry black walnut/butternut buckeye American chestnut cottonwood dogwood elm hackberry hickory holly locust magnolia maple oak poplar red alder redbud royal paulownia sassafras sweetgum sycamore tupelo willow yellow-poplar
Identification of the Conifers
Definition of the Conifers Category
- CONIFER - A tree belonging to the order Coniferales. with needles or scalelike leaves and cones as opposed to broad, flat leaves that more often than not are coneless.
- EVERGREEN - perennial plants which normally keep foliage or needles through the entire year.
- SOFTWOOD - Softwood trees are usually evergreen, bear cones, and have needles or scalelike leaves. They include pine, spruces, firs, and cedars. Wood hardness varies among the conifer species, and some are actually harder than some hardwoods.
Identify trees known variously as conifers, evergreens, or softwoods:
baldcypress cedar Douglas-fir fir hemlock larch pine redwood spruce juniper
