Can you do a proper tree identification by looking at its fruit?

Looking at a tree's fruit is one of the easiest ways to identify the species to which it belongs. Trees that bear apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, figs and citrus fruits are unmistakable.

Identifying a specific type or species of fruiting tree may require some help. For example, books or online visual aids dealing with fruit identification help distinguish between different apple cultivars. They also aid in identifying oak trees by the shape, size or cap of their acorns. Different maple trees are distinguished by the size and shape of their winged fruit, or samaras. Cherry trees are analyzed by the fruit characteristics, particularly the color, shape and flavor.