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Bark identification?

Joined
Jun 20, 2006
Messages
116
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Location
Cincinnati, OH
Is there a user friendly web site that has pictures of bark that can identify a tree without needing leaves? I do most of my woods walking in winter and here in Ohio that's when the leaves have fallen.

All help is glady accepted.
 
Leaves and fruit/seeds are the best, but if you're in an urban area, where a lot of exotics are planted or sneaking in, you may never come up with much that's worthwhile. Nursery sites are the place to go if you've got a common name or two to work with. Search the common, go to the nursery sites.

Bark tends to be a bit undifferentiated.
 
"Bark tends to be a bit undifferentiated."

That's what I'm finding. This bark is heavily gouged in vertical stripes. From the photos it could be anything from a poplar to a walnut.

Sounds like I might have to cut into it any way and see how pretty it is! :cool2:
 
There are other clues you can look at beside the bark. Buds, and any seed pods/nuts left on or around the tree.

The web site I listed in my previous post would allow you to differentiate between a poplar and a walnut without leaves in the winter time. Check it out.

Ed
 
pocket book

i bought a pocket book i believe from amazon "Winter Tree Finder for identifying deciduous trees in Winter" by May Theilgaad Watts and Tom Watts they use twiggs, bark, buds, with illustrations

i find it very helpful and almost make a game out of it :D
 
Don't forget about a book that can go into the woods with you. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees has a section of bark pictures as well as a wonderful amount of other information.
 
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