1. By: Jacie Pressett Credit to Utah State University Extension
Utah Tree Identification Objective: Identify local forestry species by common and scientific names.
By: Jacie Pressett
Credit to Utah State University Extension

2. Conifer ID Four Major Types in Utah
Juniper Fir Spruce Pine
Spruce
Single fascicles emerge from all sides of branch
Pine
Needles are in fascicles of two or more (with rare exceptions). Needles are “prickly”.
Junipers
No fascicles, leaves have “scales” and may have berries
Fir
Needles are “friendly”
Needles point upward.

3. Conifer – Cyprus Family

4. Rocky Mountain Juniper
Crown is “scraggly” in appearance
Needles are longer and thinner than Utah Juniper
May have berries
Considered invasive in some areas
Timber Value: Used for fence posts, not commercially logged, but has been used in specialty furniture,
May be planted as an ornamental in a landscape.
Often miscalled White Cedar,
or cedar

5. Utah Juniper Needles are short and have “scales” May have berries
Consider invasive in some places, juniper encroachment on grasslands or sagebrush communities decreases grazing values
Timber Value: Not commercially logged, but may be used in fence posts and specialty furniture.
Miscalled cedar or red cedar

6. Conifer – Pine Family

7. Ponderosa Pine pinus ponderosa
Can be used for structural lumber
Fascicles of three, needles that are 3-5 inches long
Climax species, erosion control
Fire and drought resistance
Timber value: high (3rd most harvested conifer species in U.S.)

8. Lodge Pole pinus contorta
Needles in fascicles of two, 1-3 in. long
Grow in higher elevations
Cone may remain closed for years
Timber Value: Moderate, used in railroad ties, fences, lodges.

9. Limber Pine pinus flexis
Needles in groups of 5, in long
Not shade tolerant, grows in dry, harsh conditions in higher elevations.
Timber Value: No timber value

10. Bristlecone Pine pinus longaeva
Fascicles of 5, 1-5 in long
Long lived, hence the scientific name (4,000 yrs)
Slow growing
Timber Value: None

11. Pinyon pinus edulis Fascicles of 2, needles are 1-2” long
Can coexists in Juniper communities
Edible pinenuts!
Timber Value: Low, used for firewood

12. Douglas Fir pseudotsuga menziesii
Tree is Pyramidal in shape
Cones have 3 pointed “tails”
Not a true fir (Needles don’t follow the fir rule)
Timber Value: Widely used in veneers and structural construction.

13. Subalpine Fir abies lasiocarpa
Single, blue green needles, ” long
High Altitudes in Utah
Shade loving
Christmas Tree
Timber Value: Moderately good

14. White Fir abies concolor
Grows in areas where precipitation exceed 20 in.
Single needles, 2-3” long, silver-blue
Timber Value: Moderate

15. (Colorado) Blue Spruce picea pungens
Single needles, 1” long
4 Angled Needles
Blue Gray Tint
Pyramidal
“Papery” cone
Formerly Utah’s State Tree
Timber Value: Low

16. Engelmann Spruce picea engelmanni
Single needled, more bunched toward end of branch than blue spruce
High Elevation
Timber Value: Moderately Good

17. Deciduous – Rose Family

18. Mountain Mahogany cerocarpus
Mountain mahogany is found in the dry regions of the state, at elevations between 4,000 and 8,500 feet.
Two different varieties. Little Leaf and Curl Leaf
Soils: Most abundant on well-drained soils. Often found on rocky soils and slickrock.
Timber Value: Wood-working enthusiasts will use for specialty projects, not commercially logged.
There are two different varieties as pictured.

19. Deciduous – Poplar Family

20. Fremont Cottonwood populus fremontii
Crenate leaf edges
Prefers river/creek edges
Stream edges
Male Catkin Seed
Timber Value: Low

21. White Poplar poplus albus
Albus = white, think Albus Dumbledore’s White Beard
Dark green, with white undersides.
Younger bark is white, older bark is gray-black
Fast growing
Commonly planted on
homesteads
Sucker shoots can grow like
weeds
Timber Value: Low

22. Quaking Aspen populus tremuloides
State Tree!
Rhizomatous, but can reproduce by seed.
Many Utah Aspen stands have been affected by Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD), the cause of which is under investigation
Wildlife Value
Timber Value: Low

23. Deciduous – Maple Family

24. Box Elder acer negundo Leaves are oppositely arranged,
three to seven leaflets
Greenish yellow, flat oval
seed pods
Timber Value: Medium,
wood used in cheap
furniture

25. Conifer – Pea/Legume Family

26. Black Locust robina pseudoacacia
Alternate leaves, pinnately compound
Planted by pioneers, not so commonly planted now
Thorns
Timber Value: Somewhat important, railroad ties

27. Deciduous – Oleaster Family

28. Russian Olive elaeagnus angustifolia
Green, gray oblong leaves
Young, smooth red/brown bark
Spines
Noxious weed
Almost NO value