Fruity Finds

The fruits that trees produce are another very interesting aspect of tree identification. Many tree species have very distinct fruits, seeds and fruiting structures. The fruits are so distinctive that one can often identify a tree species using the fruit alone. Some examples are: persimmon, basswood, catalpa, black tupelo and Douglas-fir.

The structure of tree fruits is also interesting. The structure reflects the trees “strategy” for seed dispersal. Some trees have fruits that are fleshy, bright-colored and tasty to wildlife. These trees rely on birds and animals to eat them and disperse the seeds as they travel. Other trees produce seeds with fibers or wings that can catch the wind or float on water to become dispersed. These structures are an important aspect of the tree species’ ecology.

Spend some time studying the fruits of trees. It is fascinating on its own and will help you identify trees in winter when leaves may not be available.

Web Links:

Collecting and Identifying Tree Seeds

Virginia Tech University’s Dendrology Website

An Interactive Key of Common Iowa Trees

Trees of the Pacific Northwest