Broad-leaved Trees in Spring

As spring progresses our attention understandably focuses more on the herbaceous plants so we often lose sight of our broad-leaved trees.  This study day will equip you with skills to recognise trees for the rest of the summer and is timed so that we can also enjoy and observe the detail of some of their beautiful and intriguing flowers.

We shall spend the morning in the classroom when the emphasis will be to consider ways to distinguish trees by their leaf characteristics.  Leaves are available for identification for much of the year but flowers have only a brief presence.  So we will also take this opportunity to look more closely at the various floral types that are found on our native broad-leaved trees from catkins to blossom (depending on what is available at the time).

In the afternoon we shall practice ID skills in the nature park around Tyland Barn, which is remarkably rich in a good variety of different species.   

By the end of this course you should have learned how to identify a good range of our native broad-leaved trees and shrubs by their leaves and be better acquainted with the flower types associated with each.   

This study day is suitable for anyone who loves trees.  No previous knowledge will be assumed. 

Led by Ros Bennett, Botanist and Ecologist.  Ros has written books on plants and habitats and has been teaching courses on identification and ecology for many years. We shall be using keys published in her most recent book ‘Tree-spotting’, illustrated by her daughter, Nell.  There is no need to acquire this book before the course.  Copies of the keys will be provided as hand-outs.