pgr Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 What's your favorite resource for identifying trees? I was looking at both books and apps for iPad, but it seems most (even Audubon) have received nery mediocre reviews... Any advice? :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyK Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I was wondering this question too but it doesn't look like you got much response! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Honestly? I've had the best results just doing a google search with the entry, "identify <enter the name of your state> trees." There's usually a website by the local county extension office or university department. I use the same trick for insects, too. I know it's just not the same as a beautiful field guide, but it helps get your subject named! You can also look for a dichotomous guide. That will take you through a set of questions about characteristics of the subject to narrow the info down for a specific identification. Those are fun to try your hand at, at least once, even if such a guide doesn't become a regular tool for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 The Arbor Foundation has some fun things for tree identification and more. I'm sure there is a Peterson field guide for your area. http://www.arborday.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I got a bunch of Peterson's First Guides a few years ago, including one for trees, and my children (young like the OP's children) love them! They've got good pictures and descriptions for identification, and they're small enough to take along on nature walks quite easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFwife Claire Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I have What Tree is That?, which is put out by the Arbor Day Foundation. It's pretty small, and it asks questions about the leaves to lead you to which tree you are seeing, so as long as you know basic leaf terminology (simple, opposite, alternate, etc.), it's pretty easy. I like it! Of course, it isn't as specific to your area as a website, like AuntieM said. I still have to look up trees online because this book just isn't big enough to get too deep--like there are too many species of oak, for example, so not all VA ones are in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiCO Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 What's your favorite resource for identifying trees? My brother! (He's an arborist.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgr Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 I have What Tree is That?, which is put out by the Arbor Day Foundation. This is what I found and have used on several occaisions. Though (re-reading) I have used the website/online resource by the same name, not the book. Thank you for the bump and the replies! (in this regard, too bad my brother is a physicist ;) ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 We use this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 The Arbor Foundation has some fun things for tree identification and more. I'm sure there is a Peterson field guide for your area. http://www.arborday.org/ They also have a forum, one can post pictures if the tree ID tool doesn't work. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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