The Trees of Michigan Field Guide is really handy to use. There are about a dozen characteristics available to help identify trees. Deciduous Trees. A twig key can help you identify a tree to the specific species by asking two question where you can affirm one and eliminate the other. 133 Lobed. Catalpa is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, bearing large clusters of showy white flowers in late spring. Looking More Closely at the Tree Identify what creatures the tree attracts. Look at the leaves or needles. It is hardy in USDA zones 1 through 7. Is it a single leaf like these ones? While doing that, it’s a good time to observe other key features, such as bark patterns and buds. November 28, 2016. We have listed them by scientific name because it is a constant and does not vary region to region or person to person. Conifers have needle-like or scale-like, almost always evergreen leaves, while broadleaf trees have flat, broad leaves that are usually deciduous in Michigan, falling from the trees in the fall. This is called a dichotomous key. You can identify deciduous trees in winter by their wood and buds and in summer by the shapes and sizes of their leaves. Identify conifer leaves at any time of the year, since the trees are evergreen. Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Resources Division . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Another good tactic for beginners is learning the ten most common tree species first; sugar maple, red maple, white cedar, red pine, white pine, northern red oak, quaking aspen, bigtooth aspen, black cherry and hemlock. Growing 50 to 70 feet tall, it is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 5 or 6. American mountain ash bears showy clusters of white spring flowers, red to yellow fall color and red berries. See more ideas about tree, tree identification, tree bark. Plants for a Future: Pinus Banksiana -- Lamb. One of the best field guides is “Trees of Michigan” by Linda Kershaw. A broad-leafed tree in a swamp will likely be black ash or one of the elms. If you've ever spent time in the woods, you've probably encountered a tree or two that you can't readily identify. Trees are not the only life form, of course, but they are the dominant life form and impact everything that occurs in the forest. Basic tree identification tips. Here’s what to look for: Ash trees have buds and branches directly across from each other, compound leaves with 5 to 11 leaflets, and diamond shaped ridges on the bark of mature trees. Ponderosa pines are classified as a big tree species and grow up to 235 ft. (72 m) tall. 8None or only spines. Identifying Trees of Michigan (E2332) DOWNLOAD FILE. Aerial view of Northern Michigan's fall colors. Over 100 kinds of trees are native. It's the tallest pine christmas tree species in the U.S. For some trees, paper birch for instance, most people only need to look at the white, peeling bark. Come fall and the oak tree foliage lights up the landscape with its brightly colored leaves. Once these trees are known, comparing them to unknown species will often make the identification process move quicker. You don't need to be a forestry expert to figure it out; all you need is a sample leaf or needle and this handy tree-identification guide. Order Now. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. All Rights Reserved. Coulter Pine (Pinus coulteri) Coulter pines have long needles and large heavy cones . Redbud is easy to identify in the spring, when the red buds of this small tree burst open into tiny purple blooms that line the branches for as long as two to three weeks. PlantSnap Plant Identification . There is a photo on one page with additional little photos of the bark, cone and so on. Nearly 18 million acres or essentially 50 percent of the land area of the state are occupied by forest vegetation.