Identifying markers may or may not harm a tree. Since bark is basically a tree's "skin," think what piercing your own skin does. It creates a "wound" that most of the time heals over with no problems, but there is still some small risk.

Here at the Garden, most trees get two labels. A plastic display label is stuck into the ground in front of the tree or screwed into the trunk. A small, rectangular, metal accession label is also screwed into the tree a few feet off the ground (usually on the north side, for consistency).

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service