By Andy Avram, Interpretive Manager

Here in northeast Ohio we see trees every time we step outside. In the spring, we stand in awe of a flowering dogwood in full bloom. In the summer, we rest under the shade of the oak tree in our yard. And in the autumn, we admire the red and yellow colors of the maple. However, in the winter, if we think about trees at all, it is simply that we can no longer identify them from their trunks and bare branches. For many people, they just provide a brown and gray background to the white snow. Intriguingly though, for the interested individual up for a winter challenge, our leafless trees can be identified in winter by examination of twigs, bark and growth pattern.

To identify winter trees, it is best to start from the big details to the small. Look at the shape of the tree, the branching pattern and the habitat. The drooping lower branches of a tree in a low wet area helps to identify a pin oak. The crooked branches, tipped with groups of long thin twigs, growing near water may lead one to guess a willow tree. The short, crooked trunk growing on the edge of a pasture or forest could lead to an apple tree. 

Next, is a study of the bark. Is it smooth and gray, suggesting a beech? Does the bark peel in strips? Large dark slabs of bark peeling vertically would be a shagbark hickory, but smaller horizontal peelings indicate one of the birches. Deep furrows create a network of channels through the bark in chestnut oak and black gum. Other trees with distinctive bark include the black cherry with bark that looks like burned corn flakes, slippery and American elms with soft, slightly squishy bark and sycamore with a camouflage pattern on the bottom of tree giving way to smooth white bark towards the top. 

Bark distinctive of yellow birch

Perhaps the most important feature in winter tree identification is identifying twigs and buds. There are two types of buds—terminal buds growing on the end of the twig and lateral buds that grow along the sides of the twig. If the lateral buds grow directly across from each other on the twig it is called opposite branching. Only a few species of trees have opposite branching, including: buckeyes, maples, dogwoods and ash trees. If the buds are staggered along the twig it is called alternate branching. Most of our trees have alternate branching. The buds may be long and narrow like with an American beech, or large like the magnolia. Oaks have many small buds clustered at the tip of the twig. Other features to study in a bud is the color, fuzziness and shape of the bud scales. 

Lastly, some winter tree identification can be made easier by looking for any fruit, seeds or leaves still clinging to the tree. Those items may still be laying under the tree in large numbers, so remember to look down too.

Fruit still on the tree in winter identifies a crabapple tree 

Trees are all around us and by learning to identify them it gives an added purpose and challenge to winter hiking. You will quickly be able to recognize many of the common species such as black cherry, American beech and yellow birch. With practice, you will master identifying many of the more difficult species. Joining guided hikes with experienced leaders is also an excellent way to start learning winter tree identification. We hope to see you out on the trails this winter examining the finer details of our wonderful trees!