Previous Steps

• 1a – Opposite leaf arrangement on stem — go to 2
  • 2a – Leaf compound — go to 14
    • 14a – Leaves are pinnately compound — go to 15

Current Step

• 15a – Leaflets are not uniform in shape; margins are lobed and/or coarsely toothed. Leaf scars meet across the stem — Boxelder

• 15b – Leaflets are uniform in shape; margins are entire or slightly serrated.  Leaf scars do no meet across the stem — go to 16

Resources

• Identifying Broadleaf Flowering Trees and Shrubs, CMG GardenNotes #173
• List of trees in this key
• Glossary of Terms
• Front Range Tree Recommendation List
• Online CSU Extension publications on Tree and Shrub Selection