Select the category that best describes the leaf that you are trying to identify.
Author's Note : Tree leaf terminology can become quite complicated with dozens of terms used to describe a leaf's arrangement, shape, texture, margin, base and tip. In order to simplify the leaf identification process (especially for those who have little experience with leaf terminology) and eliminate an overly complex system of tags I have reduced the leaf shapes into the intuitive categories shown in the chart above. The often subtle variations between "Toothed" and "Lobed" (especially in the oaks) can leave one guessing at how to classify their leaf. Generally this guide uses toothed to indicate small ridges along the edges of the leaf and lobed is used describe overall leaf shape. It should also be noted that not all leaves can be easily classified as opposite or alternate, and compound leaves can sometimes appear to be simple when pulled from the tree. When confusion arises I suggest going with your first guess then exploring more than one category to broaden your search.
