Science, Tech, Math › Animals & Nature Magnolia, Persimmon, Dogwood, Blackgum, Water and Live Oak - Tree Leaf Key Unlobed Tree Species Having Leaves with Smooth Margins Share Flipboard Email Print Animals & Nature Forestry Tree Identification Basics Arboriculture Tree Structure & Physiology The Science Of Growing Trees Conifer Species Individual Hardwood Species Pests, Diseases, and Wildfires Tree Planting and Reforestation Amphibians Birds Habitat Profiles Mammals Reptiles Insects Marine Life Dinosaurs Evolution View More By Steve Nix Forestry Expert B.S., Forest Resource Management, University of Georgia Steve Nix is a natural resources consultant and a former forest resources analyst for the state of Alabama. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters. our editorial process Steve Nix Updated March 17, 2017 You most probably have a broadleaf or deciduous tree that is either a magnolia, persimmon, dogwood, blackgum, water or live Oak. Let's continue... 01 of 05 Magnolia Matthew Ward/Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images Does your tree have a leaf that is evergreen, large and shiny bright green above and pale with rust colored hairs beneath with entire leaf margins (not serrate)? If yes, you most probably have a Southern magnolia. 02 of 05 Persimmon Persimmon. Persimmon Does your tree have a leaf that is long-pointed and thickened, shiny dark green above and hairless to densely hairy beneath with entire leaf margins (not serrate)? If yes, you most probably have a persimmon. 03 of 05 Dogwood Dogwood. Dogwood Does your tree have a leaf that is opposite in leaf arrangement with 6-7 long, curved veins on each side of the midrib and edges slightly wavy, the margins of the leaf appear not toothed but have tiny teeth visible under a lens? If yes, you most probably have a dogwood. 04 of 05 Blackgum Blackgum. Blackgum Does your tree have a leaf that is elliptical or oblong and shiny green on top, often crowded on short twigs with entire leaf margins (not serrate)? If yes, you most probably have a blackgum. 05 of 05 Water, Willow and Live Oaks Willow Oak. Willow Oak Several species of oak including water oak, live oak, and willow oak have simple, entire leaves that are deciduous to persistent (check for acorns on and below the tree). If so, you probably have an oak. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Nix, Steve. "Magnolia, Persimmon, Dogwood, Blackgum, Water and Live Oak - Tree Leaf Key." ThoughtCo, Sep. 3, 2021, thoughtco.com/magnolia-persimmon-dogwood-blackgum-leaf-key-1343486. Nix, Steve. (2021, September 3). Magnolia, Persimmon, Dogwood, Blackgum, Water and Live Oak - Tree Leaf Key. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/magnolia-persimmon-dogwood-blackgum-leaf-key-1343486 Nix, Steve. "Magnolia, Persimmon, Dogwood, Blackgum, Water and Live Oak - Tree Leaf Key." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/magnolia-persimmon-dogwood-blackgum-leaf-key-1343486 (accessed September 21, 2021). copy citation