Tree Identification Guide
The following guide has been included in the Eighth edition to assist school children and interested adults in the identification of Texas trees.
The guide is non-technical and should be treated as such. More detailed keys are available in most public libraries.
In the guide, trees are grouped according to their outstanding characteristics which include leaves, leaf arrangement, flowers, [fruit] and site.
THE [SOFTWOODS]
| Needles | Cones | |
|---|---|---|
| Shortleaf[1] ([page 21]) | 2 to 3 in a bundle (usually 2); 3″-5″ long | 1½″-2½″ long |
| Loblolly ([page 20]) | 3 in a bundle; 6″-9″ long | 3″-5″ long |
| Longleaf ([page 22]) | 3 in a bundle; 10″-15″ long | 6″-10″ long |
| Slash ([page 23]) | 2 to 3 in a bundle (usually 2); 8″-12″ long | 4″-6″ long |
Note: Not included above but commonly found in the longleaf pine range is a cross between loblolly and longleaf pine. This [hybrid] tree has characteristics of both parents.
[1]Only native pine in Texas that sprouts. Pitch pockets are usually present in [bark] of older trees.
THE [HARDWOODS]
TREES WITH [SIMPLE] LEAVES
Leaf Margins—Smooth
(Leaves [opposite] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page [Drupe] (or [berry]) Dogwood [107] Fringetree [117] [Pod] Catalpa [118] Desertwillow [119] [Multiple Fruit] Buttonbush [120]
Leaf Margins—Smooth
(Leaves [alternate] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page [Pod] Corkwood [35] Pawpaw [72] Redbud [88] Acorn White oaks [48]-50, [52]-59 [Drupe] (or [berry]) Hackberry [66] Redbay [73] Sassafras [74] Blackgum [105] Farkleberry [108] Gum Elastic [109] Southern Buckthorn [109], [127] Persimmon [110], [127] Privet Swamp [116] [Multiple Fruit] Bios-d’arc [69] Magnolia [70] Sweetbay [71] Witch-hazel [77] Sycamore [77] Winged Silverbell [112]
Leaf Margins—Toothed
(Leaves [opposite] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page Winged Silver Maple [98] Red Maple [99] Southern Sugar Maple [126] Sugar Maple [126] Big Tooth Maple [126] Mountain Maple [126] [Pod] Desertwillow [119] Wahoo [125] [Drupe] (or [berry]) Blackhaw [121]
Leaf Margins—Toothed
(Leaves [alternate] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page [Drupe] (or [berry]) Hawthorn [78] Mayhaw [79] Mexican Plum [80] Black Sloe [81] Black Cherry [82] Laurelcherry [83] Holly [96] Yaupon [97] Basswood [103], [126] Tupelo Gum [106] Sweetleaf [111] Sweet Myrtle [123] Anaqua [128] Winged The Elms [61]-64 [Multiple Fruit] Cottonwood [36], [123] Black Willow [37] Red Mulberry [68] Sweetgum [76] Alder (cone-like) [123] [Nut] Blue Beech (nut-like) [38] Ironwood (cone-like) [39] River Birch (cone-like) [40] American Beech [41] Chinkapin [42] Planer Tree [65] Acorns Red Oaks [43]-47 White Oaks [51], [60]
TREES WITH [COMPOUND] LEAVES
Leaf Margins—Smooth
(Leaves [opposite] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page Winged Baretta [124]
Leaf Margins—Smooth
(Leaves [alternate] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page [Pod] Mesquite [87] Black Locust [91] Coral Bean [124] Guajillo [123] [Multiple Fruit] Flameleaf Sumac (large headed) [94] Guayacan ([capsule]) [124] [Drupe] (or [berry]) Poison-Sumac [95] Wild China-tree [102] Tree of Heaven [125] Chinaberry [125] Smoke Tree [125] Pistache [125]
Leaf Margins—Toothed
(Leaves [opposite] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page Winged Boxelder [100] Water Ash [113] White Ash [114] Green Ash [115] Mexican Ash [128]
Leaf Margins—Toothed
(Leaves [alternate] on twig)
[Fruits]: Page [Nut] The Walnuts [28] The Hickories [29]-34 Ohio Buckeye [101] [Drupe] (or [berry]) Devils-Walkingstick (capsule-like) [92] [Pod] Waterlocust [90] Winged Hoptree [93]