What is a good way to identify a tree.?

Question

I have a small tree in my backyard that was here when we bought the house, I have no idea what kind of tree it is because it is still very young, does anybody know of any helpful websites that can help identify it for me, if so please let me know, only serious answers please.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Use this guide. http://forestry.about.com/library/treeke...

Answer 2

Break it down into parts of the whole--

shape of leaf

single or compound

size of leaf

color of leaf

flowers or pods

color/textureof bark (usually less informative unles tree is a mature specimen)

Answer 3

This link has the names of trees click on a name and it shows a picture.

http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/...