Leaf Key For Common Broadleaf Trees In Maryland

Leaf Key for CommonBroadleaf Trees inMarylandBy: Madeline Koenig & Kerry WixtedJanuary 2016

Tree Guide KeyI. Leaves alternateA. Leaves simple1. Margins entire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1a. Leaves oval to elliptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1b. Leaves not oval or elliptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2i. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2ii. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 52. Margins toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6a. Leaf bases uneven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6b. Leaf bases even . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7i. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7ii. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7B. Leaves compound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 10II. Leaves oppositeA. Leaves simple1.Margins entire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13a. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13b. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 132. Margins toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14a. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14b. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14B. Leaves compound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 15i

How to Use this GuideThis guide was created as an easy-to-use reference for beginner treeidentification. It is not a comprehensive guide. Trees represented in the guideinclude those that are native to Maryland, those that are introduced (exotic),and those that are exotic and create ecological problems (invasive).To use this guide, begin with the key on the previous page. Terms used in thekey are illustrated on pages x - xii.Please note that leaves can be highly variable in shape, size, appearance, andcolor. Leaves selected for this guide are intended to represent commonlyfound phenotypes. Leaves represented are not shown to scale.Under each leaf, the followinginformation will be listed:Common Name(Scientific name)Native, Exotic or Invasive Distinguishing characteristicsCommon Identification Terms: Simple Versus CompoundSimple and compound refer to whether or not a leaf the leaf is divided.Simple leaves have a single blade attached to a stem known as a petiole.Compound leaves have multiple blades known as leaflets. To make sureyou are looking at a leaf and not a leaflet, look for the lateral bud wherethe petiole meets the twig. All leaves have this trait, but leaflets do not.This is a lateral bud.SIMPLECOMPOUNDii

Alternate Versus Opposite LeavesAlternate and opposite refer to the arrangement of leaves along the twig.Do the leaves appear to zig-zag along the twig, or are they directly acrossfrom one another?ALTERNATEOPPOSITEEntire Versus Toothed Leaf MarginsEntire and toothed refer to the edge of the leaf. The edge of a leaf is alsoknown as a margin. Do the leaf edges seem to zig-zag, or are they smooth?ENTIRETOOTHEDiii

Even Versus Uneven Leaf BasesEven and uneven refer to the shape of the base of the leaf. Do both sidesof the base of the leaf line up with one another; or are they uneven?UNEVEN LEAF BASEEVEN LEAF BASELobed Versus Not Lobed LeavesLobed and not lobed refer to the shape of the leaf. Does the leaf havesections that jut out, or does it have a consistent leaf edge?This is a lobe.LOBEDNOT LOBEDiv

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Oval - EllipticSouthern Magnolia(Magnolia grandiflora)Exotic Underside orange and hairy EvergreenUmbrella Magnolia(Magnolia tripetala)Native Leaves 10-24”Sweetbay Magnolia(Magnolia virginiana)Native Underside whiteCommon Pawpaw(Asimina triloba)Native Leaves 6-12” Edible fruitCommon Persimmon(Diospyros virginiana)Native Bark broken in small squares Edible fruitPg. 1

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Oval – Elliptic; Cont’dBradford Pear(Pyrus calleryana)Invasive White flowers with unpleasant smellin spring Small, round fruit in fallRhododendron sp.(Rhododendron sp.)Native/Exotic Variable leaf shape EvergreenSassafras(Sassafras albidum)Native Hairy leaves Variable leaf shape (see pg. 4) Aromatic when crushedSpicebush(Lindera benzoin)Native Shrub Aromatic when crushed Red berries in fallBlack Gum(Nyssa sylvatica)Native Dark, shiny leaves Underside lighter Blocky barkPg. 2

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Not Oval, LobedAll leaves on this page have bristle-tips.Scarlet Oak(Quercus coccinea)Native Twigs reddish-brown Buds hairy, pointed Tufts of hair on underside Inner-bark orangish-pinkPin Oak(Quercus palustris)Native Deep lopes Twigs shiny Buds light brown, hairless Inner bark pinkSouthern Red Oak(Quercus falcata)Native Top lobe elongated Leaf base roundedNorthern Red Oak(Quercus rubra)Native Variable leaf shape Leaves never hairy Twigs reddish-brown Buds hairy, pointed Inner bark pinkBlackjack Oak(Quercus marilandica)Native Leaf lobes broad Leaf is triangularBlack Oak(Quercus velutina)Native Hairy near veins on underside Twigs light brown Buds tan, oval-shaped, hairy Inner bark orange or yellowPg. 3

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Not Oval, Lobed; Cont’dAll leaves on this page do not have bristle-tips.Chestnut Oak(Quercus montana)Native Shallow lobesPost Oak(Quercus stellata)Native Big lobes Leaf is cross-shaped.Sassafras(Sassafras albidum)Native Hairy leaves Leaf shape variable (see pg. 2) Aromatic when crushedWhite Oak(Quercus alba)Native Deeply lobed Leaf shape variable Grayish-green on topTulip Poplar(Liriodendron tulipfera)Native Has 4 lobes Flowers resemble tulipsPg. 4

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Not Oval, Not LobedGinkgo(Ginkgo biloba)Exotic Fan-shaped Commonly plantedEastern Redbud(Cercis canadensis)Native Heart-shaped Flowers pink-purple, presentbefore leaves Has pea-like pods in fallWillow Oak(Quercus phellos)Native Narrow with bristle-tipPg. 5

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases UnevenAmerican Basswood(Tilia americana)Native Smooth to touch Finely toothed Small fruits with leafy “wings”in fallAmerican Elm(Ulmus americana)NativeSiberian Elm(Ulmus pumila)Invasive Mostly smooth to touch; Slippery Leaves narrowElm sandpapery with hairy Leaves up to 3” in lengthunderside Fruit round, winged Tree is vase-shaped Commonly plantedMulberry sp.(Morus sp.)Native/Invasive Leaf shape variable (see pg. 7,9) Fruit resembles blackberries Milky sapWitch-hazel(Hamamelis virginiana)Native Yellow flowers in fallPg. 6

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, LobedAmerican Sycamore(Platanus occidentalis)NativeSweetgum(Liquidambar styraciflua)Native Leaves large, broad Bark gray, white, pale green Leaves star-shaped; Tree produces spiky, ball-shapedseed pods in fallMulberry sp.(Morus sp.)Native/Invasive Leaf shape variable (see pg. 6,9) Fruit resembles blackberries Milky sapAlternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Not LobedRiver Birch(Betula nigra)Native Bark peeling, brightorange or reddish-brownHophornbeam(Ostrya virginiana)Native Buds round Leaf veins sometimes forked Fruit round, winged “Ironwood”American Hornbeam(Carpinus caroliniana)Native Buds square Leaf veins never forked Fruit winged Bark smooth, gray “Musclewood”Pg. 7

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Not Lobed; Cont’dAmerican Chestnut(Castanea dentata)Native Leaves long, narrow Leaf base tapers Feels thin, paperyChinese Chestnut(Castanea mollissima)Exotic Leaves oval Leaf base rounded Feels thick, waxyBlack Cherry(Prunus serotina)Native Underside has hair along the main leaf vein Two small glands located near leaf baseAmerican Beech(Fagus grandifolia)Native Bark smooth, gray Buds slender, golden,pointedJapanese Flowering Crabapple(Malus floribunda)Exotic Flower small, white or pink in spring Fruit round, red or yellow in fallPg. 8

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Not Lobed Cont.Hawthorn sp.(Crataegus sp.)Native Flowers small, white withunpleasant smell in spring Fruit reddish in fall Wild varieties have thornsEastern Serviceberry(Amelanchier canadensis)Native White flowers in spring Underside lighterAmerican Holly(Ilex opaca)NativeMulberry sp.(Morus sp.)Native/Invasive Leaves dark, shiny, prickly Leaf shape variable (see pg. 7) Evergreen Fruit resembles blackberries Persistent red berries in winter Milky sapCrape Myrtle(Lagerstroemia indica)Exotic Bark peeling, smooth Flower color variableWillow sp.Salix sp.Native/Exotic Leaves narrow, elongatedPg. 9

Alternate, CompoundBlack Walnut(Juglans nigra)NativeTree of Heaven(Ailanthus altissima)Invasive 7-23 leaflets Nuts round with green husk, woodyshell Bark deeply furrowed Leaflets mostly smooth, few teethnear base Seeds have papery wingsSmooth Sumac(Rhus glabra)Native Leaflets toothed Twigs flat-sided, not hairy Reddish berries in uprightcluster in winterStaghorn Sumac(Rhus typhina)Native Leaflets are toothed Twigs hairy Reddish berries in uprightcluster in winterWinged Sumac(Rhus copallina)Native Leaflets not toothed Twigs hairy Leafstalks winged Reddish berries in uprightcluster in winterPg. 10

Alternate, Compound ContinuedBitternut Hickory(Carya cordiformis)Native 7-11 leaflets Twigs somewhat hairy Buds yellow, powderyShagbark Hickory(Carya ovata)Native 5-7 leaflets Twigs reddish-brown, smooth End buds more than ½” long Bark shaggy Nut husk thickMockernut Hickory(Carya tomentosa)Native 7-9 leaflets Twigs reddish brown, hairy End buds more than ½” long Nut husk thickPignut Hickory(Carya glabra)Native 5-7 leaflets Twigs smooth Buds silky Nut husk thinPg. 11

Alternate, Compound ContinuedHoney Locust(Gleditsia triacanthos)Native Twigs, branches, and trunk havethorns up to 3” longMimosa/Silk Tree(Albizia julibrissin)Invasive Leaves doubly compound Flowers lacy, pink in spring andsummerBlack Locust(Robinia pseudoacacia)Native Twigs, branches, and trunkhave thorns up to ½” longGolden Rain-tree(Koelreuteria paniculata)Invasive 7-17 leaflets Yellow flowers in summer Seeds enclosed in lantern-like capsulePg. 12

Opposite, Simple, Entire, LobedSugar Maple(Acer saccharum)NativeNorway Maple(Acer platanoides)Invasive 5 lobes Twigs and buds brownish Flower pale yellow Wings of fruit at right angles Lobes broad Twigs and buds grayish-brown Flowers and fruit green Milky sap when brokenOpposite, Simple, Entire, Not LobedPrincess Tree(Paulownia tomentosa)Invasive Leaves hairy, heart-shaped Flowers pale purple, blue inspring before leavesCatalpa sp.(Catalpa sp.)Exotic Leaves heart-shaped Flowers white with yellow purple,pink markings in spring Long seed pods through winterFlowering Dogwood(Cornus florida)Native Leaf veins curve to follow edge ofleaf Flowers with 4 white bracts Red berries in fallPg. 13

Opposite, Simple, Toothed, LobedRed Maple(Acer rubrum)Native Twigs, buds, leafstalks reddish Flowers and fruit pink/redSilver Maple(Acer saccharinium)Native Twigs and buds brownish Flowers green Underside silvery-whiteMaple-leaved Viburnum(Viburnum acerfolium)NativeJapanese Maple(Acer palmatum)Invasive 5-9 lobes Leaves red to purple in fall 3 lobes Leaves coarsely-toothedOpposite, Simple, Toothed, Not LobedCherry-leaved Viburnum(Viburnum prunifolium)Native Leaves resemble cherry leaves Buds brown, not hairyArrowwood Viburnum(Viburnum dentata)Native Leaves coarsely-toothedPg. 14