- 1). Analyze the trunk of the tree. Several east Texas trees have reddish brown bark, such as longleaf pine and red cedar. Longleaf pine has thick scaly bark while red cedar bark is thin and peels in narrow strips. Other east Texas trees have gray or black colored trunks. Black gum trees have diamond shaped plates in the trunk that are either reddish brown or gray. Blackjack oak has a trunk that is black with rough textured plates.
- 2). Examine the fruit that grows on trees. East Texas has trees that grow a variety of fruits. Black gum grows purplish black oval shaped berries while blackjack has acorns that grow up to one inch long. Longleaf pine trees have yellowish brown, cone-shaped fruits that grow up to three inches long. Red cedar has fruits that are waxy textured, purplish blue berries.
- 3). Look at the leaves on the trees. East Texas trees such as the honey locust has pinnately compound green leaves. Red cedar leaves are needle like and grow up to four inches long. Longleaf pine has dark green leaves that are also needled shape and grow up to 18 inches long. Hercules club has bipinnate leaves which grow up to 47 inches long.
- 4). Examine trees with flowers. Hercules club is an east Texas tree that has white flowers that bloom during late summer. Honey locust has cream colored flowers that have a strong scent.
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