Tree ID – Walk and Talk

Learn how to identify trees without their leaves! Tree bark, shape, color, and twigs all help conclude what kind of tree we are looking at. Mastering your tree identification skill is useful for many reasons, but our favorite reason is to improve your ability to find mushrooms.  And when you don’t need to look up at the leaves to identify a tree, it makes your mushroom mission much easier.

We will focus on identifying native trees found in this area and when applicable, discuss which choice edible mushrooms are associated with that tree. Trees we will learn about on this walk include elm, oak, aspen, hackberry, ironwood, ash, box elder, cottonwood, and black cherry. What if you want to know what the leaves look like? We will be able to find leaves on the ground that match the tree.

This will be a slow walk through the woods at a local park, staying on trail, and stopping to discuss trees along the way. The walk will be about 1 mile long and last about 1.5 hours.

Event will be held rain, snow or shine, but will be cancelled for severe weather (credit will be given for a future event).  Exact location will be emailed to attendees at least 24 hours before the event.