Unfortunately, because I live further north than alot of the southern hardwoods I cannot cover all the families with the wide varieties of species that exist. As I work through the families of trees, maybe I can request some photos of branches and buds I don't have, but should be included. We'll see how it goes. :)
This first section has to do with the birch family betulaceae
White or Paper birch Betula papyrifera
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_whitebirch-catkin.jpg) twig with male catkins
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_whitebirch-bud.jpg) bud
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WhiteBirch-bark.jpg)bark peeling
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_whitebirch-001.jpg)bark of older tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_whitebirch-leaf.jpg) Leaf - September
Yellow birch Betula alleghaniensis
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_YellowBirch_twig.jpg) twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_YellowBirch-bud.jpg) bud
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_YellowBirch-catkins.jpg)male catkins
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_cones.jpg) Ripe female catkins (September)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_YellowBirch-bark.jpg)bark of Young - mature tree
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/bark%20001.jpg) bark of mature - over mature tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_yellowbirch-leaf.jpg) Leaf -September
Gray birch Betula populifolia
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_GreyBirch-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_GreyBirch-mal-catkin.jpg)male catkin
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_GreyBirch-fem-catkin.jpg)female catkin
lenticels are warty glandular, lateral buds are gummy
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_GreyBirch-seed.jpg)seed and bracts
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_GreyBirch-bark.jpg)bark
Ironwood (hophornbeam) Ostrya virginiana
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Ironwood-twig.jpg) twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_ironwood-bud.jpg) bud
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_ironwood-pollen.jpg)male catkins.
Notice the near 90 degree orientation to the stem.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_ironwood-leaf.jpg) Leaf - September
This section deals with the beech family Fagaceae
American beech Fagus grandifolia
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Beech-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Beech-bud.jpg)bud
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Beech-bark.jpg)bark
Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedOak-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedOak-bud.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedOak-acorn.jpg)One Year old immature acorns
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12855/HPIM0671-2.jpg) Bark of mature tree (SPIKER)
Takes two years for acorns to mature in the red oak family
White Oak Quercus alba
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WhiteOak-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WhiteOak-bud.jpg)buds
We will return to the beech family later
This section deals with the maple family Aceraceae
Sugar maple Acer saccharum
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_SugarMaple-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_SugarMaple-bud.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/bark%20007.jpg) bark
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_sugarmaple-leaf.jpg) Leaf -September
Boxelder (Manitoba or ash leaf maple) Acer nugundo
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Boxelder-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Boxelder-bud.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Boxelder-bark.jpg)bark
Red Maple (swamp or white maple) Acer rubrum
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedMaple-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedMaple-buds.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedMaple-buds2.jpg)flower buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_RedMaple-bark.jpg)bark of mature tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_redmaple-leaf.jpg) Leaf -September
Striped maple (moosewood) Acer pensylvanicum
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_StripedMaple-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_StripedMaple-buds.jpg)buds
We will return to the maple family later
This section deals with the Linden family Tiliaceae
American basswood Tilia americana
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_basswood-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Basswood-buds.jpg)buds
Notice the slight cant of the buds.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Basswood-bark.jpg)bark of young tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_AB-flowers.jpg) Flowers - July
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Basswood-seed.jpg) Ripened basswood fruit with bract - September
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_basswood-leaf.jpg) Leaf -September
This section deals with the walnut family Juglandaceae
Butternut (white walnut) Juglans cinerea
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Butternut-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Butternut-bud.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Butternut-pith.jpg)pith
Pith has thick diaphrams, dark choc brown
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Butternut-bark.jpg)bark
Black Walnut Juglans nigra
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackWalnut-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackWalnut-buds.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackWalnut-pith.jpg)pith
Pith has thin diaphrams, buff-colored
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Walnut-bark.jpg)bark of young tree
Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12855/HPIM0659-2.jpg) Bark of mature tree (SPIKER)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12855/HPIM0692edit.jpg) Twig and buds (Spiker)
Pignut Hickory Carya glabra
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12855/HPIM0686-2.jpg) Bark of mature tree (SPIKER)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_bitternut.jpg) Seed (forum member bitternut)
This section deals with the Willow or Poplar family Salicaceae
Trembling aspen (quaking aspen or popple) Populus tremuloides
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Trembling-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Trembling-buds.jpg) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_AspenFlwr.jpg) Flowers emerging in spring
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Trembling-bark.jpg)bark of mature tree
Large tooth aspen (big tooth aspen) Populus grandidentata
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Largetooth-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Largetooth-buds.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_largetooth-sapling.jpg)bark of young tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_largetooth-big-001.jpg) Bark of mature tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_LargetoothCol.jpg) Fall coloration - September
Balsam Poplar (balm-of-gilead, tacamahac) Populus balsamifera
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BalsamPoplar-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BalsamPoplar-bud.jpg)bud
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/bark%20006.jpg)bark
Willow Salix spec
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Willow-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Willow-buds.jpg)buds
Willow buds have a single caplike bud scale
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WillowFlwr.jpg)Flowers emerging in spring
We will return to the Poplar family later
This section deals with the Olive family Oleaceae
Black ash (swamp ash) Fraxinus nigra
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackAsh-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackAsh-bud.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackAsh-bark.jpg)bark on young tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_blackash-leaf.jpg) Leaf - September
White ash Fraxinus americana
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WhiteAsh-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WhiteAsh-buds.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_WhiteAsh-bark.jpg)bark on young tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_whiteash-leaf.jpg) Leaf - September
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Ash-seed.jpg)
Ash seed, black on the left and white on the right.
We will return to the olive family later
This section deals with the Elm Family Ulmaceae
American Elm (white elm) Ulmus americana
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_AmericanElm-twig.jpg)zigzag twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_AmericanElm-buds.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Elm-bark.jpg)bark
Slippery Elm (red elm) Ulmus rubra
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12855/HPIM0672-2.jpg) Bark of mature tree (SPIKER)
This section deals with the Rose Family Rosaceae
Black Cherry Prunus serotina
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/Bitternut_BCherry-twig.jpg)
twig sent by member bitternut
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackCherry-buds.jpg)buds
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_BlackCherry-bark%7E0.jpg)bark
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_blackcherrylf2.jpg) Leaf pubescence on underside
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_blackcherrylf3.jpg) Leaf - September
Pin Cherry (fire cherry) Prunus pensylvanica
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_PinCherry-twig.jpg)twig
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_PinCherry-buds.jpg)
buds, clustered at terminal (Bitter Cherry is similar)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_PinCherry-bark%7E0.jpg)bark, 8 inch DBH
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/SD_Pincherry-leaf.jpg) Leaf - September
This section deals with the Sycamore family Platanaceae
Sycamore planetree Platanus occidentalis
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/bitternut_sycamore.jpg)
twig sent by member bitternut: leaf scars nearly surround bud, no true terminal bud, buds have single cap-like scale like Salix spp., lateral buds resinous and divergent (turn sharply away from twig).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12268/Sycamore-2.jpg) Bark of mature tree. (sent by member Wesdor)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12268/Sycamore-4.jpg) Typical white bark of limbs and immature trees (sent by member Wesdor)
We will return to the sycamore family later
This section deals with the Magnolia family Magnoliaceae
Yellow-poplar tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/2007_02090051.JPG)
Twig sent by member Larry
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/2007_02090020.JPG)
Bark of young tree - 4" sent by member Larry
Cucumbertree Magnolia acuminata
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/bitternut_Cucumbertree-twig.jpg)
twig image submitted by member bitternut
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11009/bitternut_CucumbertreeBud.jpg)
bud image submitted by member bitternut
We will return to the magnolia family later
As everyone knows this is a Work-in-Progess (WIP). Since I am up here in the north I don't have access to your native hardwoods of the south. I would like to continue with updating this thread with the help of anyone interested. Take a look at the categories I've set up here and you can see alot are incomplete. What we need to complete the thread are images (in focus) of twigs, buds, overwintering flower buds, and bark. And a big help would be to add your comments on what distinguishes one species of oak from another or some tiny little structure of the tree that is unique, but can be seen my the naked eye or 10x magnification. I know the weather is getting kind of rough these days, but this time of year is probably the least busy for some. If anyone wants to contribute with photos, just IM me. What I want to make sure of is that any photo that is used, I will stamp the members forum user name on the image. So make sure the photo name contains your username and species. Photos that I solicit from you have to be within the 30 k and pixel limit. For images of buds there are some really nice digital cameras that some of you members have for good closeups. You might not think buds are important, but sometimes the difference from one species to the other can be the difference in bud scales or even the shape and arrangement of the buds. So have a look at the thread and see what is missing. I know one family that isn't even present yet and that is the magnolia family which includes the infamous Tulip Tree. Our biggest family is going to be Fagaceae (beech, oaks, chestnut) and Juglandacea (walnut, pecan) is nothing toe sneer at either. ;) I think the thread should be locked for reference and any existing posts can be split into another thread with help from our helpful admins. ;) When you IM me to make a contribution I will send you a message containing my email address, then you can send the image there. Thanks in advance everyone. :)