Two examples of each type are shown here.
Download our free Tree ID app for Android and iPhone to identify the UKs native and non-native. Tree identification by leaf shape – The first step is to decide whether the tree is a Broadleaf tree or a Conifer. The Guide to British Trees: ID and Facts - Woodland Trust best Our A-Z guide to British trees from native species to naturalised and widely planted non-natives. When you take the photograph always include a hand or finger alongside it to indicate the size of the leaf. If you can take a photo of the upper side and lower side of the leaf, download it to your computer and compare it with other leaves in this guide when you get home. Most Conifers are Evergreens and have leaves all the year. Many conifers have leaves in the form of needles – are they clustered or in rows and how long are they? Most Broadleaf trees have leaves from spring to autumn. Is the leaf lobed or split into leaflets. Strictly speaking, identification should involve examination of the flowers. Note the veins visible on the underside – how many are there on each side of the main rib and are they straight or curved. It is possible to identify many of our native trees by looking at their leaves. Get hold of a leaf, examine it closely and note the shape of the leaf, its size and colour and whether it is toothed or smooth edged. Have a competition to see who can find the most leaves on the sheet. There are many ways to use them and they can trigger all sorts of tree-related conversations: Use the leaf ID sheet or iDial to identify leaves on trees and on the ground. You can most reliably identify a tree by the shape, colour and size of its leaves. Our popular leaf ID tools feature common British trees and are a great way to introduce youngsters to leaves. Click HERE to go directly to the Conifer Leaf Key Tree identification by leaf shape – click HERE to go directly to the Broadleaf Leaf Key.