February 28, 2010
Evergreens at Fresh Pond
Left photo: Ranger Jean Rogers (wearing green hat) helps participants sort evergreen leaf and branch samples in the CWD cafeteria.
Middle photo: (clockwise from lower right) Some leaf samples participants learned to identify with their characteristics are: White Spruce (Picea glauca) the leaves are needles which have an unpleasant order when bruised (crushed); American Holly (Ilex opaca) a native broadleaf shrub; Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) a conifer whose needles are clustered in a bundle of five needles; Arborvitae aka Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) has scale like leaves that spread out in flat, fan shaped sprays; (middle) Inkberry (Ilex glabra) another native broadleaf shrub with leathery leaves that are bicolor, shiny and dark above, lighter and dull on the underside.
Right photo (tree in background): Participants gather around Ranger Jean Rogers and learn how to identify an Eastern Red Cedar (Juniper) (Juniperus virginiana) which incorrectly was given the common name of cedar because it has berries and scales (like cedars), but Eastern Red Cedars have awls, a key factor in identification, since cedars do not have awls. In fact, Eastern Red Cedars are junipers that are members of the juniper genus.
Description and Photos by Carol Collura