Leaf Key for Common Broadleaf Trees in Maryland

Leaf Key for Common

Broadleaf Trees in

Maryland

By: Madeline Koenig & Kerry Wixted

January 2016

Tree Guide Key

I. Leaves alternate

A. Leaves simple

1. Margins entire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1

a. Leaves oval to elliptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1

b. Leaves not oval or elliptic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2

i. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2

ii. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 5

2. Margins toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6

a. Leaf bases uneven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6

b. Leaf bases even . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7

i. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7

ii. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7

B. Leaves compound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 10

II. Leaves opposite

A. Leaves simple

1. Margins entire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13

a. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13

b. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13

2. Margins toothed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

a. Leaves lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

b. Leaves not lobed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

B. Leaves compound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 15

How to Use this Guide

Simple 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 sure

you are looking at a leaf and not a leaflet, look for the lateral bud where

the petiole meets the twig. All leaves have this trait, but leaflets do not.

This guide was created as an easy-to-use reference for beginner tree

identification. It is not a comprehensive guide. Trees represented in the guide

include 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 the

key are illustrated on pages x - xii.

Please note that leaves can be highly variable in shape, size, appearance, and

color. Leaves selected for this guide are intended to represent commonly

found phenotypes. Leaves represented are not shown to scale.

SIMPLE

COMPOUND

This is a lateral bud.

Under each leaf, the following

information will be listed:

Common Name

(Scientific name)

Native, Exotic or Invasive

•Distinguishing characteristics

Common Identification Terms: Simple Versus Compound

Alternate Versus Opposite Leaves

Alternate 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 across

from one another?

ALTERNATE OPPOSITE

Entire Versus Toothed Leaf Margins

Entire and toothed refer to the edge of the leaf. The edge of a leaf is also

known as a margin. Do the leaf edges seem to zig-zag, or are they smooth?

TOOTHED

ENTIRE

iii

Lobed and not lobed refer to the shape of the leaf. Does the leaf have

sections that jut out, or does it have a consistent leaf edge?

LOBED

NOT LOBED

This is a lobe.

Even and uneven refer to the shape of the base of the leaf. Do both sides

of the base of the leaf line up with one another; or are they uneven?

EVEN LEAF BASE

UNEVEN LEAF BASE

Even Versus Uneven Leaf Bases

Lobed Versus Not Lobed Leaves

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Oval - Elliptic

Umbrella Magnolia

(Magnolia tripetala)

Native

•Leaves 10-24”

Common Pawpaw

(Asimina triloba)

Native

• Leaves 6-12”

• Edible fruit

Southern Magnolia

(Magnolia grandiflora)

Exotic

•Underside orange and hairy

•Evergreen

Sweetbay Magnolia

(Magnolia virginiana)

Native

•Underside white

Common Persimmon

(Diospyros virginiana)

Native

•Bark broken in small squares

•Edible fruit

Pg. 1

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Oval – Elliptic; Cont’d

Spicebush

(Lindera benzoin)

Native

•Shrub

•Aromatic when crushed

•Red berries in fall

Bradford Pear

(Pyrus calleryana)

Invasive

•White flowers with unpleasant smell

in spring

•Small, round fruit in fall

Black Gum

(Nyssa sylvatica)

Native

•Dark, shiny leaves

•Underside lighter

•Blocky bark

Rhododendron sp.

(Rhododendron sp.)

Native/Exotic

•Variable leaf shape

•Evergreen

Sassafras

(Sassafras albidum)

Native

•Hairy leaves

•Variable leaf shape (see pg. 4)

•Aromatic when crushed

Pg. 2

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Not Oval, Lobed

Northern Red Oak

(Quercus rubra)

Native

•Variable leaf shape

•Leaves never hairy

•Twigs reddish-brown

•Buds hairy, pointed

•Inner bark pink

Pin Oak

(Quercus palustris)

Native

•Deep lopes

•Twigs shiny

•Buds light brown, hairless

•Inner bark pink

Southern Red Oak

(Quercus falcata)

Native

•Top lobe elongated

•Leaf base rounded

Blackjack Oak

(Quercus marilandica)

Native

•Leaf lobes broad

•Leaf is triangular

Scarlet Oak

(Quercus coccinea)

Native

•Twigs reddish-brown

•Buds hairy, pointed

•Tufts of hair on underside

•Inner-bark orangish-pink

Black Oak

(Quercus velutina)

Native

•Hairy near veins on underside

•Twigs light brown

•Buds tan, oval-shaped, hairy

•Inner bark orange or yellow

All leaves on this page have bristle-tips.

Pg. 3

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Not Oval, Lobed; Cont’d

Chestnut Oak

(Quercus montana)

Native

•Shallow lobes

Post Oak

(Quercus stellata)

Native

•Big lobes

•Leaf is cross-shaped

White Oak

(Quercus alba)

Native

•Deeply lobed

•Leaf shape variable

•Grayish-green on top

Tulip Poplar

(Liriodendron tulipfera)

Native

•Has 4 lobes

•Flowers resemble tulips

Sassafras

(Sassafras albidum)

Native

•Hairy leaves

•Leaf shape variable (see pg. 2)

•Aromatic when crushed

All leaves on this page do not have bristle-tips.

Pg. 4

Alternate, Simple, Entire, Not Oval, Not Lobed

Ginkgo

(Ginkgo biloba)

Exotic

•Fan-shaped

•Commonly planted

Eastern Redbud

(Cercis canadensis)

Native

•Heart-shaped

•Flowers pink-purple, present

before leaves

•Has pea-like pods in fall

Willow Oak

(Quercus phellos)

Native

•Narrow with bristle-tip

Pg. 5

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Uneven

American Basswood

(Tilia americana)

Native

•Smooth to touch

•Finely toothed

•Small fruits with leafy “wings”

in fall

American Elm

(Ulmus americana)

Native

•Mostly smooth to touch; Slippery

Elm sandpapery with hairy

underside

•Tree is vase-shaped

•Commonly planted

Siberian Elm

(Ulmus pumila)

Invasive

•Leaves narrow

•Leaves up to 3” in length

•Fruit round, winged

Witch-hazel

(Hamamelis virginiana)

Native

•Yellow flowers in fall

Mulberry sp.

(Morus sp.)

Native/Invasive

•Leaf shape variable (see pg. 7,9)

•Fruit resembles blackberries

•Milky sap

Pg. 6

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Lobed

American Sycamore

(Platanus occidentalis)

Native

•Leaves large, broad

•Bark gray, white, pale green

Sweetgum

(Liquidambar styraciflua)

Native

•Leaves star-shaped;

•Tree produces spiky, ball-shaped

seed pods in fall

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Not Lobed

River Birch

(Betula nigra)

Native

•Bark peeling, bright

orange or reddish-brown

Hophornbeam

(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”

Mulberry sp.

(Morus sp.)

Native/Invasive

•Leaf shape variable (see pg. 6,9)

•Fruit resembles blackberries

•Milky sap

Pg. 7

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Not Lobed; Cont’d

American Chestnut

(Castanea dentata)

Native

•Leaves long, narrow

•Leaf base tapers

•Feels thin, papery

Chinese Chestnut

(Castanea mollissima)

Exotic

•Leaves oval

•Leaf base rounded

•Feels thick, waxy

American Beech

(Fagus grandifolia)

Native

•Bark smooth, gray

•Buds slender, golden,

pointed

Black Cherry

(Prunus serotina)

Native

•Underside has hair along the main leaf vein

•Two small glands located near leaf base

Japanese Flowering Crabapple

(Malus floribunda)

Exotic

•Flower small, white or pink in spring

•Fruit round, red or yellow in fall

Pg. 8

Alternate, Simple, Toothed, Leaf Bases Even, Not Lobed Cont.

Hawthorn sp.

(Crataegus sp.)

Native

•Flowers small, white with

unpleasant smell in spring

•Fruit reddish in fall

•Wild varieties have thorns

Eastern Serviceberry

(Amelanchier canadensis)

Native

•White flowers in spring

•Underside lighter

American Holly

(Ilex opaca)

Native

•Leaves dark, shiny, prickly

•Evergreen

•Persistent red berries in winter

Willow sp.

Salix sp.

Native/Exotic

•Leaves narrow, elongated

Crape Myrtle

(Lagerstroemia indica)

Exotic

•Bark peeling, smooth

•Flower color variable

Mulberry sp.

(Morus sp.)

Native/Invasive

•Leaf shape variable (see pg. 7)

•Fruit resembles blackberries

•Milky sap

Pg. 9

Alternate, Compound

Black Walnut

(Juglans nigra)

Native

•7-23 leaflets

•Nuts round with green husk, woody

shell

•Bark deeply furrowed

Tree of Heaven

(Ailanthus altissima)

Invasive

•Leaflets mostly smooth, few teeth

near base

•Seeds have papery wings

Staghorn Sumac

(Rhus typhina)

Native

•Leaflets are toothed

•Twigs hairy

•Reddish berries in upright

cluster in winter

Smooth Sumac

(Rhus glabra)

Native

•Leaflets toothed

•Twigs flat-sided, not hairy

•Reddish berries in upright

cluster in winter

Winged Sumac

(Rhus copallina)

Native

•Leaflets not toothed

•Twigs hairy

•Leafstalks winged

• Reddish berries in upright

cluster in winter

Pg. 10

Alternate, Compound Continued

Bitternut Hickory

(Carya cordiformis)

Native

•7-11 leaflets

•Twigs somewhat hairy

•Buds yellow, powdery

Mockernut Hickory

(Carya tomentosa)

Native

•7-9 leaflets

•Twigs reddish brown, hairy

•End buds more than ½” long

•Nut husk thick

Shagbark Hickory

(Carya ovata)

Native

•5-7 leaflets

•Twigs reddish-brown, smooth

•End buds more than ½” long

•Bark shaggy

•Nut husk thick

Pignut Hickory

(Carya glabra)

Native

•5-7 leaflets

•Twigs smooth

•Buds silky

•Nut husk thin

Pg. 11

Alternate, Compound Continued

Honey Locust

(Gleditsia triacanthos)

Native

•Twigs, branches, and trunk have

thorns up to 3” long

Black Locust

(Robinia pseudoacacia)

Native

•Twigs, branches, and trunk

have thorns up to ½” long

Mimosa/Silk Tree

(Albizia julibrissin)

Invasive

•Leaves doubly compound

•Flowers lacy, pink in spring and

summer

Golden Rain-tree

(Koelreuteria paniculata)

Invasive

•7-17 leaflets

•Yellow flowers in summer

•Seeds enclosed in lantern-like capsule

Pg. 12

Opposite, Simple, Entire, Lobed

Sugar Maple

(Acer saccharum)

Native

•5 lobes

•Twigs and buds brownish

•Flower pale yellow

•Wings of fruit at right angles

Norway Maple

(Acer platanoides)

Invasive

•Lobes broad

•Twigs and buds grayish-brown

•Flowers and fruit green

•Milky sap when broken

Opposite, Simple, Entire, Not Lobed

Catalpa sp.

(Catalpa sp.)

Exotic

•Leaves heart-shaped

•Flowers white with yellow purple,

pink markings in spring

•Long seed pods through winter

Princess Tree

(Paulownia tomentosa)

Invasive

•Leaves hairy, heart-shaped

•Flowers pale purple, blue in

spring before leaves

Flowering Dogwood

(Cornus florida)

Native

•Leaf veins curve to follow edge of

leaf

•Flowers with 4 white bracts

•Red berries in fall

Pg. 13

Opposite, Simple, Toothed, Lobed

Opposite, Simple, Toothed, Not Lobed

Red Maple

(Acer rubrum)

Native

•Twigs, buds, leafstalks reddish

•Flowers and fruit pink/red

Maple-leaved Viburnum

(Viburnum acerfolium)

Native

•3 lobes

•Leaves coarsely-toothed

Silver Maple

(Acer saccharinium)

Native

•Twigs and buds brownish

•Flowers green

•Underside silvery-white

Japanese Maple

(Acer palmatum)

Invasive

•5-9 lobes

•Leaves red to purple in fall

Cherry-leaved Viburnum

(Viburnum prunifolium)

Native

•Leaves resemble cherry leaves

•Buds brown, not hairy

Arrowwood Viburnum

(Viburnum dentata)

Native

•Leaves coarsely-toothed

Pg. 14

Opposite, Compound

Buckeye sp.

(Aesculus sp.)

Native/Exotic

•5 leaflets arranged in a whorled pattern

•Horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum)

have 7-9 leaflets

Box Elder

(Acer negundo)

Native

•3-5 leaflets

•Papery fruit with wings

•Twigs green

White Ash

(Fraxinus americana)

Native

•5-9 leaflets

•Leaf scar is “U” shaped

Green Ash

(Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

Native

•7-9 leaflets

•Leaf scar is semi-circular

•Leaflet stalks have narrow wings

Pg. 15

Index

American Sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis) . . Pg. 7

Ash

Green (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 15

White (Fraxinus americana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 15

Basswood, American (Tilia americana) . . . . . . . Pg. 6

Beech, American (Fagus grandifolia) . . . . . . . . . Pg. 8

Birch, River (Betula nigra) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 8

Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 10

Box Elder (Acer negundo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 15

Buckeye sp. (Aesculus sp.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 15

Catalpa sp. (Catalpa sp.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13

Chestnut

American (Castanea dentata) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 8

Chinese (Castanea mollissima) . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 8

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) . . . . . . . . . Pg. 9

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) . . . . . . . . . Pg. 5

Eastern Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) Pg. 9

Elm

American (Ulmus americana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6

Siberian (Ulmus pumila) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) . . . . . . . Pg. 13

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 5

Golden Rain-tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) . . . Pg. 12

Hawthorn sp. (Crataegus sp.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 9

Hickory

Bitternut (Carya cordiformis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 11

Mockernut (Carya tomentosa) . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 11

Pignut (Carya glabra) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 11

Shagbark (Carya ovata) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 11

Holly, American (Ilex opaca) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 9

Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7

Hornbeam, American (Carpinus caroliniana) . . Pg. 7

Japanese Flow. Crabapple (Malus floribunda) Pg. 8

Locust

Black (Robinia pseudoacacia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 12

Honey (Gleditsia triacanthos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 12

Magnolia

Southern (Magnolia grandiflora) . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1

Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1

Umbrella (Magnolia tripetala) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 1

Maple

Japanese (Acer palmatum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

Norway (Acer platanoides) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13

Red (Acer rubrum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

Silver (Acer saccharinium) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

Sugar (Acer saccharum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 13

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 12

Mulberry sp. (Morus sp.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pgs. 6,7,9

Oak

Black (Quercus velutina) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 3

Blackjack (Quercus marilandica) . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 3

Chestnut (Quercus montana) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 4

Northern Red (Quercus rubra) . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 3

Pin (Quercus palustris) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 3

Post (Quercus stellata) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 4

Scarlet (Quercus coccinea) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg. 3

Southern Red (Quercus falcata) . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 3

. White (Quercus alba) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 4

Willow (Quercus phellos) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 5

. Pawpaw, Common (Asimina triloba) . . . . . . Pg. 1

Pear, Bradford (Pyrus calleryana) . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2

Persimmon, Common (Diospyros virginiana) Pg. 1

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) . . . . . . . .Pg. 13

Rhododendron sp. (Rhododendron sp.) . . . . . . Pg. 2

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pgs.2,4

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 2

Sumac

Smooth (Rhus glabra) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 10

Staghorn (Rhus typhina) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 10

Winged (Rhus copallina) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 10

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) . . . . . . . . Pg. 7

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) . . . . . . . Pg. 10

Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipfera) . . . . . . . . Pg. 4

Viburnum

Arrowwood (Viburnum dentata) . . . . . . . . . Pg. 14

Cherry-leaved (Viburnum acerifolium) . . . Pg. 14

Maple-leaved (Viburbum prunifolium) . . . Pg. 14

Willow sp. (Salix sp.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 9

Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6

Images:

American Basswood and Post Oak Images: Earl “Bud” Reaves.

Blackjack Oak Image: The original uploader was Ed Uebel at English Wikipedia [GFDL

(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-

sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Hophornbeam Image: Matthew Sarver.

Pignut and Shagbark Hickory Images: David Mow,

https://www.flickr.com/photos/90940641@N08/with/11802696515/

Scarlet Oak Images: Evelyn Fitzgerald https://www.flickr.com/people/evelynfitzgerald/

Smooth Sumac Image: Micah Hahn,

http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Survival/Pages/about.html

All images other taken by Kerry Wixted and Madeline Koenig.

Resources:

Kundt, J.F. & Baker, R.L. (1983). Leaf Key to Common Trees of Maryland (Extension Bulletin 238).

College Park, MD: Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland.

Maryland Plant Atlas webpage.

http:// www.marylandplantatlas.org/index.php

Petrides, G.A. & Wehr, Janet (1998). Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Trees. New York, NY: Houghton

Mifflin Company.

Sibley, D.A. (2009). The Sibley Guide to Trees. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Stein, J., Binion, D. & Acciavatta, R. (2003). Field Guide to Native Oak Species of Eastern North

America (USDA, USFS, Publication No. FHTET-2003-01). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing

Office.

Virginia Tech Dendrology webpage. http://www.dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/main.htm

Wojtech, M. (2011). Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast. Lebanon, NH: University Press of

New England.

Credits and Resources

Larry Hogan, Governor Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, Secretary

dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife