How to Identify the Trees of Tahoe Basin

Look at the tree and decide if it's deciduous or coniferous. Deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall while coniferous trees often have needle-like leaves. Note the size, shape and color of the leaves..

Run your hand over the bark of the tree and determine the color, texture, and thickness.

Pluck a leaf from the tree and note the shape. Look at the big picture. Determine whether the leaves are a bunch of leaflets or a singular entity, like a maple.

Look for any flowers. Note the color, size and number of petals. Determine the fruit of the tree, such as a pinecone or berry. Note the surrounding characteristics of the location, including the elevation.

Loook through a Lake Tahoe Basin or Sierra Nevada tree identification guide book. Begin with the leaf style and work your way down the information you collected. Match the characteristics to determine the specific species of a tree.