Leaf shape is an important characteristic to look at when you are trying to identify a broadleaf tree. Ten of the most common shapes are listed below.
 | LINEAR | long and narrow with parallel sides. |
 | LANCEOLATE | a narrow leaf,widest at the base, lance shaped. |
 | OBLONG | two or three times longer than wide, ends ROUNDED. |
 | OBLANCEOLATE | a narrow leaf with the widest point at the tip, opposite from lanceolate. |
 | ELLIPTIC | shaped like an ellipse(wider in the middle). |
 | SPATULATE | shaped like a spatula, broad and round at the top. |
 | OVATE | wide and broad at the base, shaped like an egg. |
 | OBOVATE | wide and broad at the tip,base is narrow, opposite from ovate. |
 | RHOMBIC | diamond shaped with the leaf attaching to tree at one of the sharp angles. |
 | ROUND | round. |
Tree Identification
[Needle type][Leaf arrangment][Leaf type][Leaf shape][Leaf margin]
Example tree key
Last modified July 30, 1999