How to Identify Flowering Trees
Flowering trees are great for beautification, and many bear fruit after the flowers fall off. They make an attractive and bold addition to any yard or garden by increasing warmth and color. Trees are native to many parts of the world, therefore they grow under different conditions. Flowering trees come in many shapes, sizes and colors.
Items Needed:
- Tree identification field guide with full color photo’s available at your local bookstore or library, or online.
- A magnifying glass is a handy item.
Background about trees with flowers:
- Trees offer many advantages such as food, shade, air purification, beautification, and so much more. Their bi-products supply people with a variety of industrial products such as building materials and wood for smoking and barbecuing. There are many kinds of trees all over the world, some produce flowers and others that do not.
Factors to consider while identifying flowering trees for your home:
- Ensure that the tree that you choose blends in with the rest of your plants and it is well suited to grow in your region without affecting the native environment negatively.
- Identify a flowering tree that is best suited for your lawn or garden if you are using the information to identify the best tree for your home or business.
How to Identify Flowering Trees
- Refer to tree identification catalogues from a tree vendor or online. Flowering trees come in many types and strain choices at nurseries. Ask for the ones that will weather well in your region if you will plant them.
- Identify whether it is evergreen or deciduous by checking the leaves shape and branches of the tree. This will assist you to narrow down the plethora.
- Identify if the leaves are simple (single), compound (more than one blade attached), or single fan shaped.
- Distinguish the leaves on the main stalks growth as either simple opposite (2-3 leaves directly across the stalk) or simple alternate (2-3 leaves that are staggered).
- Note that the leaf and flower color if the tree is in bloom. Are the leaves shaped like lobes, not unlike your hand? You can look to see if it’s heart shaped, or pear shaped, or teardrop shaped. Also note the ridges called toothes on the perimeter of the leaves.
- Go tree shopping while trees are in bloom in the spring so that you can see how the tree will look like once it matures. This may help you identify wild trees, as well.
- Examine the flower color and the shape and number of petals when the tree is at full bloom. Compare this with the pictures in you book to narrow your search down. If you are planting one in your yard consider whether it blends in with the rest of your plants.
- Check whether the leaf shape appears single, in racemes or in clusters to narrow down your search.
- Touch and smell the flowers, if they are in bloom. Some trees have bright and radiant flowers that sting while touched, while others smell foul. Some flowers shed before they fully bloom.
- Look at the texture and pattern of the bark. Consider if the bark is smooth or rough, or if it is peeled off and compare with the bark in your guide.