Dendrology is the science of identifying trees according to species—it’s also a fun way to enjoy the forest and understand its cycles and changes.

Trees may be identified based on flowers, leaves, buds, bark, twigs and fruit. In summer, leaves and needles might be the only clue you need—in winter, tree identification is a little more challenging. Click for a few simple tricks
to basic tree identification.

Newfoundland and Labrador are home to a wealth of native tree and plant species. This page provides a path to an index of native tree and shrub species in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a sketch, photo and description of each. Use this guide to help identify what you see as you hike some of the province’s beautiful trails.

NL Native Trees and Shrubs Index

Thanks to the NL Department of Environment and Conservation, Parks and Natural Areas Division, for permission to use sketches and plant descriptions from the publication, “Native Trees and Shrubs of Newfoundland and Labrador” by A. Glen Ryan. This book is available from the WNMF or the Parks and Natural Areas Division. Thanks also to the NL Department of Natural Resources, Forest Resources, for permission to use some species descriptions from their web site.

Tips for identifying NL trees:

 

PINES: Only pine needles are truly needle-shaped. They grow in bunches of two to five needles.

 

LARCHES: The larch, also known as tamarack or juniper, is the only native conifer that loses its needles in the fall. Without needles, the larch has a distinctive Christmas tree shape.

 

SPRUCES: Spruce needles are not flat—they are square in cross-section like a wooden match, A spruce needle will roll between your finger and thumb.

 

FIRS: Fir bark is smooth and pocked with resin blisters that release sticky resin when cut. Fir needles are flat, and twigs are smooth to the touch when the needles have fallen. Firs have two white lines on the underside of the needles.

 

Source:
Where Continents Collided, Western School District

 

 

 

A leaf , twig and bud “clue chart” will help you identify tree species in your area. Click here to download the PDF file “Identifying Trees” from Western School District’s “Where Continents Collided.”

 

 

 

 

 

The Forest in Your Backyard

Western Newfoundland Model Forest

Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador