Learning Winter Tree ID: 3 Easy Twigs

Identifying a tree can be as simple as glancing at the leaves, when they’re out.  By winter, though, those easily recognized labels have long since fallen off deciduous trees. If the ground is not covered by deep snow, scattered leaves provide a hint, but they could also be from a similar species.  

     Your best bet is to look at a number of different clues. It is like detective work, and the perfect opportunity to go hiking or snowshoeing. It’s helpful to bring a guide book that also has a winter key. I always pack my copy of Forest Trees of Maine.

     Important clues are the overall shape of the tree and its location.  Is it growing in swampland, on a slope, deep in the woods or on old farmland?   Bark can be helpful with some species.  Branching pattern, either opposite or alternate, twig color and thickness and bud characteristics are all key identifiers.  Scent is also important. A good place to start when learning winter tree id is with a few trees you already know.  

     Notice that the buds of the three twigs, in the photo above, are very different. They are, from left to right, a red maple, a red oak, and a quaking aspen, three common Maine trees.  It’s no real surprise that the buds and new stems on red maple are red.  Maple’s pattern of opposite leaves can clearly be seen.  The distinguishing feature of oak buds is the cluster at the twig tip.  Quaking aspen buds have a shiny, shellacked appearance.  

     Winter tree id keys offer additional identifiers like leaf scar, bud scale and pith characteristics that are worth learning.  However, it’s not necessary to learn every feature for every species.  It’s better to focus on the three or four facts that can positively identify a tree.