Tree ID in winter

[JRadd33]

Anyone have any tips or tricks for tree id in winter? Maybe an app you like?

 

[Sligh1]

When I started many years ago…. I had a couple books I took with. So few perspectives…. I used them as “guides”. Match up leaves & bark, etc. Worked great many many years ago. Now my brain is an app & it’s automatic. But- after a season 25 years ago… I had it down “pretty good”. time in woods with a guide or even printing out color photos of bark & leaves & twigs of certain species is pretty slick. All apps I’ve heard of guys using suck BUT…. Maybe they have advanced since I’ve heard about them.

If u tell me what region of state u in- I’ll tell u the species u want to focus on for the good ones and bad ones.

 

[JRadd33]

Southern ish Illinois. Ground is about 110 miles straight south of Champaign on I-57

 

[IowaBowHunter1983]

What skip said Although the app SEEK is pretty good. It's what the NRCS folks use. They use it mostly for mapping but it does well on ID as well.

 

[letemgrow]

Apps and books are a great place to start, but nothing works as well as boots on the ground applying that knowledge to learn the trees.

 

[BearCreek]

I have used various apps but they are not incredibly accurate unless the trees are leafed out. Identifying tree species is most difficult when dormant and once you get experience it will be second nature. Try to focus on the buds, stems, and form of tree as opposed to the bark.

 

[Snail3496]

Agree on all of the above. No magic bullet, but the apps get better and better as the years go on. The more reps, the more confidence you'll have. I am still learning as well

 

[fergyr]

Every time that the DNR District Forester visits and we go for a walk I learn something new, and if I get stuck on indenting a tree after the visit is over I take some pictures and email them to her, and within a few hours she replies with an answer, amazingly helpful resource.

 

[Wildturkey 2]

Every time that the DNR District Forester visits and we go for a walk I learn something new, and if I get stuck on indenting a tree after the visit is over I take some pictures and email them to her, and within a few hours she replies with an answer, amazingly helpful resource.

If you can identify with leafs still on trees mark trees

 

[gsquared23]

It has taken me lots of “practice”, but if you spend enough time in the woods, eventually your skill will improve. The apps definitely help a lot, I tried several field guides and websites.

 

[Bassattackr]

Seek is a great app. But I've not been able to use in winter without leaves..