How to Identify Texas Trees

1). Purchase or borrow a field guide to Texan trees that you can take along on your woodland wanderings. Look for a field guide that contains color illustrations and detailed descriptions of different tree species--leaves, bark, fruit, flowers, shape and habitat.
2). Select a tree to identify.
3). Compare the overall shape of the tree you are looking at to possible trees in your field guide. Consider the tree's size and branching pattern. Be attuned to the ideal versus the real. For example, a tree that typically likes a lot of sun but happens to be growing in a densely wooded forest will look different from the field guide picture that shows the tree growing in its ideal habitat.
4). Examine the leaves of the tree, if they are visible. This is the easiest place to start narrowing your choices. Does the tree have leaves or needles? If needles, how many are in each needle bundle (also called a fascicle)? If it has leaves, what color are they? Are they simple (one leaf per stalk) or compound (more than one leaf)? Pay attention to the arrangement of the leaves on the stalk, the leaf veins, the leaf edges (the margins) and the leaf shape. Be careful of tricky trees such as the mulberry and sassafras, where a single tree can sport leaves of different shapes.
5). Look for flowers, fruit and cones, as these are key features for tree identification if they are present. Fruit comes in all shapes and sizes, from the pecan nut to the redbud pod and the Texas persimmon berry. Use the size, shape, texture and color of cones to help distinguish between different species of coniferous trees.
6). Examine the tree bark. Clues to help identify a tree can be found in bark color, texture and thickness.
7). Consider the tree habitat. If you are looking at a pine tree in East Texas, you may be looking at a longleaf, slash, loblolly or shortleaf pine. Pinyon pine is common in the mountain forests of West Texas.
8). Extend and enrich your knowledge of Texas trees by visiting an arboretum or taking a general interest course such as the Nature 101 classes offered at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.