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

HARDWOOD
WINTER ID KEY

You selected:  An alternately-branched
shrub with single or absent terminal buds.
Smooth bark.  Twigs are not bitter tasting.
There are 3 choices on this page!

  7.  Terminal buds are usually missing.
        The last bud does not grow from the very end
        of the twig (you'll have to look close sometimes).
        Shrub often in a wetland or ditch.
        If so, try shrub willows.

          or

  7.  Trunk looks sinewy, like a muscled arm.
        Bark color is gray.
        If so, try musclewood.

          or

  7.  Terminal buds hairy, about 3/8 inch long.
        Bark is gray and "cherry-like."
        Orange berries might be left on the tree.
        If so, try mountain ash.

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.