Tree leaves have very varied and diverse shapes that can help you to identify which species you may be looking at.
Is it simple or compound?
SIMPLE COMPOUND
A simple leaf is formed of one individual blade where and 'teeth' or lobes do not reach to the midrib of the leaf e.g. a leaf from a Copper Beech Tree (above left). While a compound leaf is made up of individual leaflets, as shown by this Ash Tree (above right). The trick is to look for a bud at the base of the stem - a leaf will have a bud in the angle between the stalk and the twig while a leaflet will not (left).
Is it pinnate or palmate?
PINNATE PALMATE
A leaf is described as pinnate when the lobes or leaflets are arranged on both sides of the stalk or midrib like a feather, e.g. a Rowan (above left). Compared to palmate, where the lobes or leaflets radiate from a single point, like fingers from a hand, e.g a Horse Chestnut (above right).
Is it Round, Elongated or maybe even Heartshaped?
ROUNDED ELONGATED
The shape of the leaf may also change as it matures. For example, a young Holly leaf has a far smoother edge compared to the more spiky mature leaf (below).
