Winter Ecology Hike with Tom Swinford

Without the leaves to guide us, winter tree identification requires a keen eye for bark, branches, buds, and other subtle features. During this hike, we will teach you how to recognize native tree species by their distinct winter characteristics. We’ll explore the preserve’s diverse landscape, learning how to identify oaks, maples, hickories, and other trees even in their leafless state. Along the way, we’ll discuss the fascinating ways trees adapt to the colder months, how they survive winter, and how to use a variety of field markers, such as the shape of the tree’s silhouette, its bark texture, and its buds, to identify different species.