The Art of Winter Tree Identification

Learning to Identify Trees in the Wintertime when there are no fresh leaves to utilize can be difficult at first, but is a pivotal skill that will open your eyes to a whole new world of details in the forest. Watching someone pick up a twig and then correctly proclaim the identity of a tree may seem like magic at first, but it is actually just a system of details that you can learn too!

This course will provide you with the fundamental skills to confidently identity trees in the wintertime and comprises two sections: class lecture and fieldwork. The two topics that will be covered are bark and twig/bud identification. Each topic will begin with a lecture followed by field study to solidify your new knowledge!

Course Contents:

2 hours – Instructional Presentations

2 hours – Field Learning

1 hour – Independent Guided Study

In addition to the foundational knowledge of bark and twig/bud identification, we will also study the details of 15+ of the most common trees in North Alabama and the surrounding area.

Common trees covered in the course:

• Maple – Acer spp.
• Hickory – Carya spp.
• Oak – Quercus spp.
• Tulip Tree – Liriodendron tulipifera
• Persimmon – Diospyros virginiana
• Beech – Fagus grandifolia
• Elderberry – Sambucus spp.
• Ash – Fraxinus spp.
• Buckeye – Aesculus spp.
• Black Locust – Robinia pseudoacacia
• Sassafras – Sassafras albidum
• Black Cherry – Prunus serotina
• Sweetgum – Liquidambar styraciflua
• Elm – Ulmus spp.
• Redbud – Cercis canadensis
• Sugarberry – Celtis laevigata

You will walk away from the course with: a handout on the 15+ common trees of Alabama and their corresponding details, a handout for taking field notes on bark/buds, the confidence to know how to identify trees in the wintertime!

Helpful Supplies:

There will be several exercises that will require a notebook and pen. We will be both walking through the woods and sitting in a pavilion so wear appropriate footwear and dress in layers. Additional supplies that are not required, but definitely recommended are –

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

Rain Date: February 6 – An email notification will be sent to all registrants by 7:30 am on February 5

Sign up via The Land Trust of North Alabama (<– Click Here!)