U.P. TREE  IDENTIFICATION  KEY
from Michigan State University Extension

HARDWOOD
WINTER ID KEY

You selected:  An alternately-branched
tree with single or absent terminal buds.
Bark is smooth and gray.
Note:  There are 3 choices on this page!

  7.  Bark is gray and smooth even on
        large trees.  Buds are much longer than wide.
        Not usually present in the western U.P.
        If so, try American beech.

          or

  7.  Bark is dark gray, often with light spots.
        Twigs are bitter to the taste.
        Buds sharp-tipped.  A small tree.
        If so, try black cherry.

          or

  7.  Bark is medium to dark gray.
        Buds are brick red and smooth.
        Look for left over fruit parts.
        If so, try basswood.

CAREFULLY read each option
on the right.  This is the
hardest key to work through.
Pick the one that is closest
to your sample or describes
what you remember from
where you saw the tree.
Click on the "key" icon
to go to the next set of choices.