How to Identify a Tree Branch

Determine if the branch is a deciduous or a conifer. This step is easy in the winter. Naked branches are indicative of deciduous trees, while conifer branches hold their needles all year-round. In other seasons of the year, the deciduous branch bears wide, flat leaves rather than thorny needles. Examples of deciduous tree branches include oak, maple and elm. Conifer specimens include cedar, pine and fir.

Look on twigs coming off the branch and see where the buds appear. Note of the buds' size, how they're arranged, the color and how they're spaced along the twig. For example, a sugar maple has a single pointy bud at the end of the branch's twig whereas red oak has clusters of buds.

Observe the placement of twigs on each branch. If the branches are opposite one another, it's a tree like a maple, dogwood, horse chestnut or ash. If the branches alternate then it might be a branch for a birch, oak, aspen or sycamore. Keep note of the branching style in your notebook.

Touch the bark on the branch. Note if it's smooth, furrowed, spiny, flaky or rough. Examples of smooth bark include American beach and witchhazel. Furrowed bark is seen on black walnut. Spiny bark literally has spines growing out of it, flaky bark belongs to trees like the white birch, and rough bark appears on trees like shellbark hickory. Also, detail other characteristics of the bark in your notes like the color, thickness, if it peels and if it has any aroma.

Take your notes and return to your tree identification guide. If you're using a computerized version, click on either pictures of the branch or specific characteristics from your notes. If using a book, go to the correct section and begin comparing the information you gathered.