Needle-like Foliage

• Because pines have needles in clumps, they often have a softer texture than other conifers.Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Many evergreens in temperate climates have needle-like foliage because it prevents dehydration during the winter months when underground water supplies freeze. When identifying a plant with needle-like foliage, the arrangement and shape of the needles helps narrow down the tree's basic classification. Pine needles arise in clusters of two or more, and the number of needles per cluster provides a valuable clue for determining the species. Spruces have needles that emerge individually, and if you break a needle in half, it looks rectangular in cross-section. Firs, hemlocks and yews have single, flat needles.
  
  

Scale-like Foliage

• A few types of evergreens develop tiny, overlapping leaves that resemble scales. Junipers generally have this type of foliage, often present along with short, sharp needles as well as small blue fruits. White cedars have scale-like foliage without needles.
  
  

Broadleaved Foliage

• Evergreen shrubs are often broadleaved, like this rhododendron.Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Broadleaved evergreens fall less neatly into categories because there are many more of them than there are conifers. Many broadleaved trees native to warmer climates, such as the live oak, have evergreen foliage on account of not having to adapt to cold climates. When identifying a broadleaved plant, begin by determining the leaf arrangement. Opposite leaves emerge in pairs, one on each side of the stem, while alternate leaves occur singly on two sides of the stem. Whorled leaves emerge in a circular pattern around the stem.
  
  Find the bud at the base of the leaf. If a single leaf matches with each bud, you have a simple leaf. If one bud gives rise to many leaflets, you have a compound leaf.
  
  Finally, note the leaf shape. Common leaf shapes include heart, lance, triangle, oval and ellipse shapes. With this information and a field guide of local plants, you should be able to narrow down the identity of your plant.
  
  

Other Clues

• While you're studying your mystery plant, collect other information on the tree's appearance. For conifers, the shape and size of the cone can help you identify an individual species. With flowering plants, you may also find fruits or seeds, like the acorns of the live oak, that provide valuable clues.
  
  If your plant has flowers, describe those in detail as well. Note the number and arrangement of the petals, as well as the color. Flowers may occur singly or in clusters. Also note the season in which the plant flowered. Some flowering evergreens, like the mountain laurel, blossom for only a short time each year. (See References 4)