Treehuggers rejoice! If you’re a nature lover who always wondered “What Tree Is That?” whenever hiking by an interesting-looking tree, you can now get a book that’ll instantaneously answer your question.
The Arbor Day Foundation‘s What Tree Is That?: A Guide to the More Common Trees Found in North America, is a well-illustrated book that’ll let you identify pretty much any tree in the U.S. through the process of elimination. First, you’ll determine the leaf shape (right), which’ll direct you to a new page that asks more specific questions about the leaves, fruits, twigs, and branches of the tree until you finally figure out what exact species your new green friend is.
Have a good idea what the tree is and just want to verify your guess? Flip to the index in the back to crosscheck the tree you see to the hand drawn diagram of the tree’s features in the book. Curious if a tree’s an invasive species? Turn to the pages devoted to identifying those. The back flap of What Tree Is That? also handily doubles as a ruler, so you can quickly measure leaves or buds to help you with identification.
You don’t have to buy the book to take advantage of The Arbor Day Foundation’s tree identification guide. Those with photographic memories can just remember all the details of the tree, then put it through the web guide once they get back near a computer. And those with hi-tech cell phones and great reception can use What Tree Is That? Mobile.
Otherwise, the book’ll be most handy. The $14.95 book comes out April 1; you can pre-order it on Amazon now.

I took a ‘woodlot management’ course back when I was in college. A major part of the mark involved creating a complete collection of all the major native tree species. It was tough and what made it nearly impossible was the fact that two of the species commonly hybridized.
Martin’s last blog post..When A Problem Comes Along…
Comment by Martin — March 31, 2009 @ 3:46 am
Hi,
I loved these kind of books when I was a kid. Could you include me in the swag draw and give the book to -
Play Mountain Place
6063 Hargis Street • Los Angeles, CA 90034
- if my number comes up?
Martin’s last blog post..Make a Firm Decision about Flip-Flops
Comment by Martin — April 15, 2009 @ 8:06 am
You gotta comment on the correct post to win –
Comment by Siel — April 16, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
I would like to know what tree the one in the link below is?
cheers
RichardAlois´s last blog ..Day Tree
Comment by RichardAlois — October 6, 2010 @ 9:46 am