Learn Tree Identification Without Leaving the Trail

Most people think tree identification requires hiking miles into remote wilderness. The truth? You can begin your journey to learning trees on a simple foot-travel-only trail,  paved or dirt, right in your local area.

At Nature Reliance School, we believe tree ID isn’t just about memorizing names. It’s about sharpening observation, developing awareness, and connecting to the natural world in a way that makes you more resilient.

Essential Guides for Beginners

Two of the best tools for starting out are:

• May Watts’ Tree Finder – A classic, pocket-sized key that helps you identify trees by their leaves with simple line drawings. Available widely, including on Amazon.

• University of Kentucky Tree ID Guide – A regional reference packed with photos, details, and context for trees across Kentucky and the eastern U.S.

Unlike apps, these books never run out of battery. And when you use them often, you’ll find your eyes start to notice details you once overlooked.

Steps for Using a Taxonomic Key

Learning how to use a key is its own skill. Here are the fundamentals:

Start with the Right Material

Choose a healthy, mature leaf (or other part of the tree). Avoid insect damage or juvenile leaves.

Work Through the Key Slowly

Keys are built on “couplets” — two contrasting statements. Read carefully and choose the option that matches your specimen. Follow the reference number given.

Compare Features and Illustrations

Look at leaf arrangement, margin, and shape. Use a hand lens if needed, and always double-check against the line drawings or photos.

Confirm Your Result

Cross-check with another guide (like the UKY Tree ID book). Look at bark, nuts, and overall tree shape to be sure you’ve got it right.

You can watch me go through this process for winter tree ID at with this video.

Four Trees You Should Know

Here are four common and important species you can identify right on your local walking trail:

• Buckeye (Aesculus glabra, ESS-kyoo-lus GLAH-brah)
  Early settlers carried buckeye nuts for luck. The name comes from the nut’s resemblance to a deer’s eye.

• Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata, KAIR-ee-uh oh-VAY-tuh)
  Famous for its peeling bark and tasty nuts. George Washington once enjoyed a traditional drink made from hickory nut milk.

• Red Oak (Quercus rubra, KWER-kus ROO-brah)
  Known for acorns that germinate in the spring, unlike their white oak cousins. Strong wood, rich history.

• White Oak (Quercus alba, KWER-kus AHL-bah)
  A backbone of American shipbuilding and still used in every Kentucky bourbon barrel. Its acorns are less bitter and essential to wildlife.
  
  I cover some of those trees in this video

Why Tree ID Matters

Tree identification is more than trivia:

• It helps you find fuel, food, and shelter in survival settings.

• It strengthens awareness and slows your pace outdoors.

• It connects you with history, the same trees used by settlers, presidents, and shipbuilders are still all around us.