Identify 11 Trees By the Bark (Easy Tips)

Here we show how to identify 11 trees using only the bark. This is really helpful in winter (for deciduous trees that lose their leaves) and also for trees that are dead or have been cut down. Here is a full list of the trees that we cover with jump links, so you can skip straight to the one you're most interested in:

0:00 Intro
0:22 Beech
0:49 Sycamore
1:18 Walnut
1:52 Hackberry
2:18 Birch
2:43 Mulberry
3:25 Cherry
4:14 Aspen
5:02 Cedar
5:48 Hickory
6:20 Pine

Note that most of the trees we cover in this video are common (or can at least be found) in Midwest or Northeastern America.

[PhatChin]

I'm 41 and up until now, a 'tree' was just a tree. I really did not make any effort to learn or distinguish them. But now that I walk in the local parks more often and take the time to absorb my surroundings, I am interested to learn. This is the best video I've seen so far and I've actively browsed quite a bunch. Thank you.

[TimDeGraff]

By far the best bark comparison video I’ve seen. And so concise. Thanks for making this!

[wesleymarkmusic]

Was on a walk today and saw bark that I remembered from this video. Rewatched your video and sure enough, it was a Hackberry tree. Haha, it made my day. It is currently winter here in Ohio and I’m trying to identify trees by just their bark. Thanks for your help.

[rivforest]

thanks for making this very practical video, makes going to the park more interesting to identify trees.

[sjtherese]

Thank you so much for this video. Please do more series identifying trees. I’ve watched SO many videos online trying to explain and yours was truly the most informative/clear/easy to understand. The tips about the inside color of trees is going to help SO much.

Could you do a video showing oak, elm, ash, and poplar? I keep getting these confused with one another. Another amazing video would be differentiating between trees that are very similar. Like Ash/Elm/Poplar

[lexibrotherton]

This should be curriculum in school, along with other plant, shrubs, vines, berry, fruits and such, awesome video.

[icantdraw]

Thanks a ton. This was both fast yet just comprehensive enough to help me in identifying trees.

[COLDROLD]

There are some woods that have a very distinct scent. Like this stuff.

[theycallmemcgyver]

Fantastic! Great timing! Have been identifying in earnest dozens of trees the past few weeks (in the northeast). Stumbled on your older videos two weeks ago and was wondering if the tricks would be mingled together in a single video. Subbed. Your explanations are concise and very informative. Very much appreciated! If you are up to diving deeper, would appreciate videos which distinguish the various common oaks and various common maples.

[NeroCloud]

I love videos like this you get learning an life lessons. cause every tree an help you if you to what it can do

[budgillett]

You’ve no idea how much I enjoy there videos! I heat with wood therefore spend considerable time amongst trees and there’s many I cannot identify. I’m usually harvesting my firewood after the leaves have fallen therefore identification is much more difficult. I live in south central Nebraska and we don’t have, IMO, a large number of different tree species mostly Cottonwood, Chinese Elm and Ash. Very interesting and thank you.

[Jimmy-wvoq]

You out done yourself Beaver, Great video I have lot woods land you explained excellently some my trees wondered what they are. Now I know Thank you .

[morrisfoster]

This kid is great Love for all kids to have this knowledge

[brianoneil]

Holy jeeps where in the world did you make this video?? Such a diversity of mature trees within walking distance on the same-fooging-day!!! Awesome video THANK YOU

[jasonburns]

Love these kinds of videos. Identifying trees in different seasons. Are you in Indiana?

[claresmith]

Walked in our local park yesterday and found trees labeled with id, name, and numbered by path distance. It was still very difficult to id them with certainty in deeper woods. Next day, I found you and your helpful tips, Thank-you. You are much better than our tree labels.

[livbrooks]

I was always told the trunk of a beech tree looks like an elephants leg! so cool.

[hhiikkii]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you so much! Now I know the trees around my house.☺️🌲🌳

[victorcaceres]

Hello BB. First time viewer and very grateful for this video. I recently got "switched on" to identifying Trees and Plants in my neighborhood and this video has been a great tool in how to better identify trees on sight. I do have an app that I like, but having someone point out the nuances is priceless. Many thanks!

[timgiles]

That was awesome.
I wish you would do the same type of video on every (major) tree east of the Mississippi and west as well.
I have 34 acres full of trees in West Virginia and I need help identifying them.
Thanks for the video :)