January 28, 2012
Winter Tree Identification
The lack of snow this winter made for easy walking during our annual Winter Tree Identification program. Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation members Elizabeth Wylde, (left photo) and Susan Coolidge (center, right photo) led participants onto the golf course, where we looked at a number of a "specimen trees," mature trees that manifest all of the characteristics of their species. Specimen trees are generally found standing alone, since growth among other trees usually alters the shape and size of a tree. Later, indoors, we looked over tree identification guides.
Bottom photos: This beautiful Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and large Black Willow (Salix nigra) are fine examples of specimen trees.