Challenge 26: Identify 3 trees by their twigs in winter

Points available: 3

About the challenge

In the winter how can you tell the wood from the trees when all you have to look at are the twigs and bark?

At first glance the twigs of trees all look the same, but look again and you’ll see thick twigs, thin twigs, sharp looking leaf buds and buds which look like bishops hats!

Use the Woodland Trust Winter Tree ID sheet (PDF) to learn how to identify three trees by their twigs alone.

Start by choosing trees that are local to you, and that you can identify when they are in leaf. The English Oak (Quercus petrea), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Birch (Betula pendula) would be a good start because their twigs, leaves and bark are very different to each other.

Helpful tips

When you think you know what to look for, visit a woodland to put your new skills to the test. Try to identify a tree only by its twigs. Look for fallen leaves under the trees to help you if you are struggling but remember that some leaves might have blown there from another tree!

More information

As you develop this skill look at the bark on the trees. The bark also provides  clues as to which tree you are looking at. The smooth grey bark of a beech tree or the pealing papery white bark of a silver birch  or even the bark that  twists up and around the trunk on a sweet chestnut. Tree Guides Uk have some useful pictures of common trees to help you