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Tree identification

What's the easiest way to identify a tree? A dichotomous key of course. A dichotomous key is a tool that allows anyone to determine the identity of items in the natural world such as wildflowers, mammals, reptiles, rocks, fish, and trees. Dichotomous means "dividing into two parts" so the dichotomous keys below will always give only two choices for each step until you have identified the tree.

Dichotomous tree keys

Tree and plant identification guides

Smartphone apps

Leafsnap is an electronic field guide developed by researchers from Columbia University, University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves.

Plant a tree!