What information comes with a tree identification?

A result can include the common and scientific name, family, confidence, leaf and bark traits, mature size, range, hardiness zones, health assessment, care notes, and pruning window.

Can IsaArboristBuddy diagnose tree diseases?

The app can flag visible signs that may match common diseases, pests, and stress. Treat the result as decision support and contact a qualified arborist when safety or tree loss is a concern.

Does the app include ISA exam preparation?

Yes. Practice covers tree biology, pruning standards, decay, climbing safety, soils, disorders, pests, and urban forestry topics.

Can I build a tree inventory?

Yes. Save GPS-tagged trees with photos, species information, notes, care logs, and maintenance history.

Practical guide

What tree is this?

You can name almost any tree from four clues — its leaves, bark, shape, and any fruit or cones. Here’s the method arborists use, plus a way to get the species (and a health check) from one photo.

Scan a tree

Free on iOS · Species ID + disease diagnosis

What to look for

Start with these four clues

Trees give themselves away — you just need to know what to look at first.

Leaves

Broad or needle-like? Simple or compound? Note the edge and whether they grow opposite or alternate.

Bark

Smooth, furrowed, peeling, or plated — bark is your best clue in winter when leaves are gone.

Shape

Columnar, spreading, weeping, or conical form is often recognizable from a distance.

Fruit & cones

Acorns, samaras, berries, catkins, or cones are strong species indicators when present.

Step by step

How to identify a tree, step by step

01
Look at the leaves
Broad vs needle, simple vs compound, edge shape, and opposite vs alternate arrangement.
02
Check the bark
Texture and pattern narrow the species — especially useful outside the growing season.
03
Note the overall shape
The silhouette and growth habit tell you a lot before you get close.
04
Look for fruit, flowers, or cones
Reproductive parts are among the strongest identifiers when the tree has them.
05
Confirm with a photo scan
IsaArboristBuddy names the species from a leaf or whole-tree photo and adds a health and disease check.

Try the app

Get the species and a health check

IsaArboristBuddy identifies any tree from a photo and diagnoses common diseases and pest damage — plus ISA arborist exam prep for the pros.

App Store

Direct answers

Common questions

How can I identify a tree from a picture?

Photograph a leaf, the bark, or the whole tree and scan it with IsaArboristBuddy. It returns the species with a confidence score, plus habitat and care information.

What is the best app to identify trees?

IsaArboristBuddy identifies trees from a photo and adds disease diagnosis and ISA arborist exam prep — built for curious walkers and working arborists alike.

How do I identify a tree by its leaves?

Note whether leaves are broad or needle-like, simple or compound, their edge shape, and whether they grow opposite or alternate. Those four traits narrow most trees to a family.

Can the app diagnose tree diseases?

Yes. Alongside species ID, IsaArboristBuddy flags common diseases and pest damage from a photo and suggests next steps.