Identifying the Trees in the St. Louis Area

St. Louis is home to a wide variety of trees, from the stately oak to the delicate dogwood. If you're interested in identifying the trees in your yard or neighborhood, there are a few things you can look for.

Keys to tree identification

One of the most important features to look at is the leaves. Trees in Missouri can have simple leaves or compound leaves. Simple leaves are just one piece, while compound leaves comprise several leaflets. The shape of the leaves can also vary, from round to elliptical to lobed.

Another important feature to look at is the bark. The bark of a tree can be smooth, rough, or even scaly. It can also be different colors, from brown to gray to black.

The flowers and fruit of a tree can also be helpful in identification. Some trees, like the magnolia, have large, showy flowers. Others, like the oak, have small, inconspicuous flowers. The fruit of a tree can also vary, from nuts to berries to acorns.

The location of a tree can also help you identify it. For example, some trees are more commonly found in certain parts of Missouri.

Here are ten of the most common trees found in Missouri:

• Oak: Oaks are one of the most common trees in Missouri. 22 species of oaks grow native or are naturalized in Missouri. Also, more than 30 different oak hybrids (crosses between the various species) have been recorded in the state. but they all have a few things in common. Most oaks have lobed leaves, and their bark is often rough and scaly. Oaks are also known for their acorns, which are a popular food source for wildlife.
• Maple: Maples are another common tree in Missouri. Five species are found in Missouri. They are known for their beautiful fall foliage, ranging from red to orange to yellow. 
• Hickory: Hickories are another type of tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their edible nuts, which are a popular food source for humans and animals. Hickories also have compound leaves, and their bark is often rough and scaly.
• Dogwood: Dogwoods are a type of tree that is native to Missouri. They are known for their beautiful white flowers, which bloom in the spring. Dogwoods also have simple leaves, and their bark is often scaly and gray.
• Pine: Pines are a type of coniferous tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their needle-like leaves and their cones. Pines are also a popular Christmas tree.
• Sycamore: Sycamores are a type of deciduous tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their large, simple leaves and their white bark. Sycamores are also a popular shade tree.
• Ash: Ashes are a type of deciduous tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their compound leaves and their diamond textured bark. Ashes are also a popular shade tree.
• Elm: Elms are a type of deciduous tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their simple leaves and their scaly, gray bark. Elms are also a popular shade tree.
• Walnut: Walnuts are a type of deciduous tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their large, multiple leaves and their dark, furrowed bark. Walnuts are also a popular nut tree.
• Cherry: Cherries are a type of deciduous tree that is found in Missouri. They are known for their small, white flowers. Cherries are also a popular ornamental tree.

These are just some of the many trees that are found in Missouri. If you're interested in learning more about trees, there are many resources available to you. 

Resources:

Print:

Trees of Missouri Field Guide by Stan Tekiela

A field guide by author and naturalist Stan Tekiela. You can make tree identification simple, informative, and productive. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of trees that don’t grow in Missouri. Learn about 119 species found in the state, organized by leaf type and attachment. Just look at a tree’s leaves, then go to the correct section to learn what it is. Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-page photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification.

Online:

The State of Missouri has an extensive online guide for identifying trees, shrubs, woody vines, and more. The links above are all to the online guide.

https://mdc.mo.gov/field-guide/search?fgSpeciesType=1009 

Take a class

Check your local community college for Continuing Education classes in tree identification.

Ask the experts:

St. Louis Tree Pros have several certified arborists on staff that can help with the identification of trees in your yard. Contact us for all your tree services in the St. Louis area including tree trimming and tree removal.