Reading the Forest: Identifying Trees in Winter

A chance to enjoy a winter tree identification experience in the Heart of England Forest, beginning with a short indoor introduction followed by a guided walk in the woodland around Middle Spernal.

The event will start with a 30–45 indoor workshop led by Volunteer Co-ordinator Jonathan, where you’ll learn the key features to look for when identifying trees during the winter months. Without leaves to guide us, we’ll focus on characteristics such as buds, bark, tree shape, and branching patterns to help recognise different species.

Afterwards, we’ll head out into the Forest to put these skills into practice. Do you know your sessile oak from your English oak, or your hornbeam from your whitebeam? As we walk through young plantations and mature woodland, you’ll see how many of the 30 different broadleaf species found in the Forest you can identify even in winter.

The route will take us through woodland around Middle Spernal, where a range of species can be seen both as young specimens and more mature trees.

This relaxed walk is designed for those with no or basic tree knowledge who would like to learn more about the natural environment. Along the way we’ll also touch on woodland creation in the Heart of England Forest and basic tree biology.

All money raised from this event supports the Heart of England Forest (charity number 1097110). Please consider choosing a charity ticket, which includes an extra donation and the option to Gift Aid, helping your contribution go even further

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