Identification
What makes one type or species of tree look different from another? What are the clues which help us distinguish them?
A number of basic points help tell you which tree is which. The clues to look for depend on the time of year. A number of factors, or identifying points, help narrow down the range of possible identification. Most good identification books will talk you through these.
The life-form or the size and shape of trees differs between species. Some are typically short and squat, others are tall and thin with all sorts of shapes and sizes between.
Leaf colour, shape and size can all be important characteristics in identification.
One major question is whether the tree concerned is broad-leaved or coniferous. Most broad-leaved trees shed their leaves in winter - they are deciduous.
The leaves of conifers are either needle-like or small and scale-like and normally evergreen. As always, there are exceptions to the rule and they include holly - an evergreen broad-leaf - and larch - a deciduous conifer. Supposing you have an evergreen conifer with needles, the next question is - are the needles long or short or grouped into two's, three's or more?
How the needles or leaves are arranged can be important as can colour or scent.
The flowers, fruit or cones can also be useful identification points as are the size, shape and layout of buds on broad-leaf twigs.
The tree trunks or the bark on them can sometimes be a give-away - each has typical colour or morphology.
A word of warning. Individual trees are quite adaptable or "plastic". The same tree may look different if it has grown on its own or squashed in between others. Or the leaves at the top of a tree may have a slightly different shape or form from those at the bottom so some care is needed when working out which tree is which.
An extensive glossary of tree-speak is on this website under Tree Terms
More: There is an ample range of books in high street booksellers to help you identify trees in this country and northern Europe. A classic is still Alan Mitchells's "Collins Guide to the Trees of Britain and Northern Europe" but we are spoilt for choice. CD-ROMs are available too.