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You can identify most trees by studying their leaves, seeds, and fruit. This animation will help you learn to identify these characteristics and take a “step-by-step” approach to arrive at the name of your tree. Once you master these skills, it will be a breeze to identify any tree using our What Tree is That? Booklets or our online Tree ID Guide.

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Glossary of Tree Terms

ALTERNATE

leaves that are staggered, not placed directly across from each other on the twig.

BLADE

the flat part of a leaf or leaflet, characteristic of broadleaf trees.

BRACT

a modified leaf that bears a flower.

BROADLEAF

a tree with leaves that are flat and thin, and generally shed annually.

BUD SCAR

the marks remaining after bud scales drop in spring.

COMPOUND LEAF

a leaf with more than one blade. All blades are attached to a single leafstem. Where the leaf stem attaches to the twig there is a bud.

CONIFER

a cone-bearing tree.

DECIDUOUS

shedding all leaves annually.

ENTIRE

a leaf margin with smooth, untoothed edges.

EVERGREEN

trees with needles or leaves that remain alive and on the tree through the winter and into the next growing season.

LEAF SCAR

the mark left on the twig where the leaf was previously attached.

LOBES

projections that shape a leaf.

MARGIN

the edge of a leaf.

MIDRIB

the primary rib or central vein of a leaf.

OPPOSITE

2 or 3 leaves that are directly across from each other on the same twig.

PALMATE

blades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like fingers on the palm of a hand.

PERSISTENT

deciduous leaf blades that remain on the tree for more than one year.

PETIOLE

the leafstalk that connects the blade(s) to the twig.

PINNATE

blades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like the vanes of a feather.

SAMARA

winged fruit.

SIMPLE LEAF

a single leaf blade with a bud at the base of the leafstem.

SINUS

indentation between lobes on a leaf.

SPURS

stubby, often sharp twigs.

TEETH

notches on the outer edge of a leaf.

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