Learn how to identify trees—in one week

As we learn to examine trees, we’ll be doing what naturalists do and inspecting different tree parts like leaves, bark, and unique characteristics such as nuts, fruit, or flowers. These will serve as clues that collectively help us identify a species. 

To help you learn how to spot common tree types in the U.S., we’ll explore how they differ by genus. Genus is the first part of a species’ scientific name.  

Take the bur oak tree, for example, known as Quercus macrocarpa. Quercus refers to trees in the oak genus, which tend to share physical traits, while macrocarpa is the name of the specific species of oak. The U.S. has more than 800 different tree species, which are categorized into about 270 genera, the plural of genus. 

We’ll be learning more about red and white oak trees, two broad categories into which most oaks are divided.

There are more than 400 oak species in the world, mostly in the northern hemisphere; around 90 are native to the U.S. In fact, the oak is the national tree of the United States and more than a dozen other countries.

Are you ready to test your knowledge about the mighty oak tree?   

Want to experience more wonder? National Geographic’s Wonder List features playful prompts and activities that turn everyday moments into wonder-filled discoveries—for families, anywhere, every day.