How to Identify Trees By Bark Color

Black Spruce

Black spruce (Picea mariana) is a small evergreen tree native to the boreal forest of North America. This coniferous species of tree grows in Canada and the northern United States. Black spruce grows at elevations under 2,600 feet and at latitudes above 40 degrees north. The bark is dark brown or black and scaly. When the bark peels off, it reveals a yellowish color underneath. Black spruce trees rarely grow taller than 60 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet wide, though some of these trees can grow as large as 100 feet tall with a trunk width up to 3 feet wide.

Blue Beech

• Blue Beech

Also known as American Hornbeam or Musclewood, the blue beech has smooth bark that is gray and interlaces with ridges, corky warts and other growths. Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, oval, alternate and doubly toothed.

Paperbark Maple

Paperbark maple is a small sized tree that peels its bark off in thin papery layers. It can typically be found growing in full sun and grows best in zones 5-8.

Black Cherry

Black cherry trees have thin, smooth bark that is easily damaged by fire. The color of the bark can vary from a reddish-brown to a greyish black. The bark may also be long and thin, making it easy for you to identify.

White Oak

The White Oak, a deciduous tree, can be identified by its large size (up to 100 feet), smooth bark and leaves with 7 to 9 lobes. Its trunk is typically grey or brown, often with deep grooves that can reach up to one foot in diameter. It is commonly found in the Eastern United States.

White Oak leaves are 5 to 9 inches long, with 7 to 9 bristle-tipped lobes. The upper surface of each leaf has a glossy sheen while the underside has a noticeable white midrib and pale blue-green leaf stalk.

Shagbark Hickory

• Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
• This tree is found in the eastern United States as well as Ontario. The bark color is a light tan/brown to gray, and shreds into long, thin, curling strips. The leaf of this tree is compound with 5-7 leaflets, and the nuts are edible and sweet.

Sweet Gum

When identifying a tree by its bark color, you may need to employ other techniques as well. For example, consider the location of the tree and when it blooms. It can also be helpful to determine whether it is deciduous or evergreen, whether it is a conifer or broadleaf and whether it is a flowering tree or if it bears fruit. In addition to bark color, consider these factors when identifying trees:

• Deciduous: Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall and grow new ones in the spring.
• Evergreen: Evergreen trees stay green year-round as they don’t lose their leaves seasonally.
• Broadleaf: Broadleaf trees are characterized by their wide, flat leaves; on the other hand, conifers have needles or small scale-like leaves that resemble pine needles rather than broad leaves.

Black Birch

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Ironwood (Hophornbeam)

Ironwood (also known as Hophornbeam) has smooth, gray bark that is often mistaken for Birch. Its bark has vertical ridges that appear scaly, resembling muscle fibers. Ironwood trees are commonly found in forests and woodlands throughout eastern North America and can grow up to 50 feet tall.

This tree is native to eastern North America, thriving in hardiness zones 3-9. Ironwood trees prefer moist soil and do best when planted in full sun, but they also tolerate shade.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

If you’re looking for a shrub with interesting, lobed leaves and white flowers that bloom as clusters in the summer, you’ve found your tree! Oakleaf Hydrangea is native to the eastern United States, where people often plant it in their yards. Its creamy bark adds extra intrigue.

Trees are identified by many attributes but here is a quick quiz on color of bark to help make it easier to identify trees.

To identify trees by bark, start with a tree sample in front of you. Then use this list to help you decide what type of tree it is.

Trees are identified by many attributes including:

• Shape of leaf or needles
• Color of bark
• Number of leaflets on the leaf or needles (pine)
• Position of the leaf on the stem (opposite or alternate)
• Height and width at maturity