LEAF CHARACTERISTICS
Leaves can be very helpful in tree identification. Make sure you choose a leaf that is mature. Young leaves may not show all of the characteristics.   Look at a range of leaves to assess the general leaf morphology of your specimen.

LEAF PERSISTENCE
Identify annual increments of twig growth by locating the bud scale scars that demark the boundary between successive years growth of the twig.  Determine how many years leaves are retained on the twigs.

Evergreen:  A tree is evergreen if it retains leaves for at least two years, that is there are still leaves associated with the nodes of two year old twigs.

Deciduous:   A tree is deciduous if it only retains leaves for one year, that is there are leaf scars but no leaves associated with the nodes of two year old twigs.