Tree/Leaf Identification Guide

These are the sites that I am aware of that attempt to provide help with tree and shrub identification. Some are excellent and some are not very useful at all. I have included the “not so useful” ones in order to save you from spending the time finding that out. The first four listed are probably going to be the most useful.

Michigan State University Extension A key to the trees of the U.P. (You can’t get much better than that!)

Virginia Technical College Key button has color pictures of leaves, twigs, bark, fruit/nuts, etc., pretty good but may not have all our northern species (use the “buttons” at the bottom of their page). There is also a fact sheet button with some useful information.

University of Wisconsin botany site Very good color pictures of trees, shrubs and vines but no text to accompany it (no hints to help ID). Can be a little slow to work with but it is loaded with excellent information and pictures.

Iowa State University Extension Lots of good information, has an interactive key, definitions page, color pictures, and is very easy to use.

University of Vermont Might be a little difficult to use if you aren't familiar with scientific names. Choose the “Woody Plant Pictures” link.

Texas A&M University Nice pictures, but no text, you'll need to know the scientific names to find your suspect and that may give you problems.

University of Washington Tree Tour Nice but not many trees listed or pictured are native to this area.

Sir Sanford Fleming College in Ontario, Canada A little difficult to find trees quickly, it gives a few good tips to help with identification of some species and has color pictures.

University of California – Berkeley Rather difficult to use and not many local trees listed.

Auburn University (Alabama) Very nice descriptions and color pictures (click on the small pictures to enlarge them).

Oregon State University Difficult to use, plants are listed by their scientific name and many do not grow in this area.

North Carolina State University This site only has pines, all three native to the U.P. are covered (jack, red and white pine… but you knew that). The screen is set up to allow side by side comparisons

Oregon State University Key to the conifers of the Pacific Northwest… not too useful here.

University of British Columbia – Canada Shows tree species found in that region… again, not too useful here.

U.S. Forest Service/Department of Agriculture site Color pictures, lots of pictures of trees, shrubs, mosses, grasses, wildflowers, etc. A little difficult to use.

Michigan State University Tree ID key appears to be linked to pictures from University of Wisconsin, and I had some problems getting it to work. It is very slow to connect, you may be better off using the address for the University of Wisconsin that is listed at the top of this page if you want to see the leaf, twig or fruit pictures. THIS MSU KEY IS NOT AS USEFUL AS THE MSUE ONE AT THE TOP OF THIS LIST.