Ever wondered how to tell one tree from another—or why it even matters? Check out this week’s Good Growing podcast, where we dive into the magical world of tree identification with horticulture educator Sarah Vogel. From leaf shapes and bark textures to Latin names and mnemonic tricks, learn how recognizing trees can help you care for them better, diagnose problems, and deepen your connection with nature.

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_7IMFXaOqNc

Skip to what you want to know:  

  01:20 – Welcome, Sarah! 

  02:28 - Why is tree identification important? 

  05:53 - Do you remember the first tree you learned to identify?

  11:09 - What are the basics when it comes to identifying trees? 

  15:44 - Are there tools to help with tree ID?

  22:37 - Is learning Latin names necessary? 

  29:30 - Any upcoming tree ID walks? 

  31:53 - Tree ID recap, process to identifying an unknown tree.

  34:41 - Wrap-up, thank yous, what's up next week, and goodbye!

Forest Trees of Illinois: https://pubsplus.illinois.edu/products/forest-trees-of-illinois

Tree Owner’s Manual: http://www.treeownersmanual.info/

Illinois Trees:

  English: https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/publications/documents/00000696.pdf

  Spanish: https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/publications/documents/00000702.pdf

Illinois Extension - DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties: https://extension.illinois.edu/dmp

Community Tree Care Series: https://extension.illinois.edu/plants/community-tree-care-series

Contact us! 

Chris Enroth: [email protected]

Ken Johnson: [email protected]

Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing

Subscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe

Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.

Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk

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You can find us on most podcast platforms.  

iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     

Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    

Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    

Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    

Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    

Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us