What Tree Is It?

2 side wings

Select the image that best matches your sample

CAUTION: Each cone within this group is made of scales. Each scale has within it a small seed or nut, sometimes called a nutlet. Be careful to distinguish between "scales" and "nutlets." Seeds (nutlets) often have wings. Scales sometimes have projections that may look like wings. You will need to use a magnifying lens to see the characters used in the key below.

Each seed with conspicuous wings; cones fragile, fall apart at maturity

Each seed without wings or only very small wings; cones harder, somewhat woody, do not fall apart
Speckled Alder
Smooth Alder
NOTE: Read both fact pages to separate these two similar kinds of tree.

Identify by Fruit

2 side wings