Winter Tree Identification Workshop

Have you ever wanted to be able to identify the trees lining the trails of Land Trust preserves?  This course, led by Jesse Akozbek of Feral Foraging, will help you get closer to that goal, even though most trees within the winter forest are without their leaves!  Identifying trees in the wintertime is often thought of as one of the more difficult skills that a naturalist can learn. However, armed with the right details and knowledge, winter tree identification is actually an approachable skill to people of all experience levels.

Course Description: This workshop is aimed to provide you with the fundamental skills needed to identify trees without access to their leaves. It comprises a mix of class lectures and field study. The two main topics that will be covered in detail are tree bud and bark identification.  The class will mainly focus on general concepts that can be applied to any tree or woody plant that you come across in the woods. However, we will also be looking at some of the common trees that grow in North Alabama.

Some of the common trees covered in the course: Maples – Acer spp; Hickories – Carya spp; Oaks – Quercus spp; Tulip Tree – Liriodendron tulipifera; Persimmon – Diospyros virginiana; Beech – Fagus grandifolia; Elderberry – Sambucus spp; Ashes – Fraxinus spp; Buckeye – Aesculus spp; Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia; Sassafras – Sassafras albidum; Black Cherry – Prunus serotina; Sweetgum – Liquidambar styraciflua; Elms – Ulmus spp; Redbud – Cercis canadensis; Sugarberry – Celtis laevigata

What to Bring/Wear: There will be several exercises that will require a notebook and pen. During field study we will be doing some light hiking with stops to observe different species in the wild. Please dress to stay warm during light activity in cold weather.  Additional supplies that are not required, but definitely recommended are:

• Loupe or Magnifying Glass
• Tree Identification Field Guide
• Knife (or cutting tool)
• Ruler

Cost: $60 for Non-members, $45  for Land Trust members at the Trailblazer Level ($50) or above only

If you’re not a member, join today at the Trailblazer ($50) level or above. Simply add a membership to your order when you register. Or review the full list of membership benefits and join at landtrustnal.org/join.

Course fees will help pay for instruction, snacks and drinks, the Feral Foraging Tree Bud Identification sheet, and the pocket-sized booklet Winter Tree Finder: A Manual for Identifying Deciduous Trees in Winter, by May T. Watts and Tom Watts.

When & Where:
Saturday, February 11 from 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM – Southwood Presbyterian Church at 1000 Carl T Jones Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802
Sunday, February 12 from 1-4 PM at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve (This portion of the workshop will take place outdoors. Access to restrooms will be available.)

Note: In the event of significant rain on Sunday the 12th, the second part of this workshop will take place on Saturday, February 18 from 1-4 PM.

Register