Fall is a great time to start to learn more about our native trees, especially conifers. And, a new phone app allows you to carry a field guide in your pocket and use it to identify a tree you encounter. Photos help focus your attention on needle, bark, cone, and growth form characteristics. No internet connection is needed once you download the free app!
Check out the Wenatchee Naturalist conifer webpage to learn about other great field identification publications and websites you may like to use. Learning more a tree species enhances enjoyment of walking in their habitats.
During the 12-week Wenatchee Naturalist course, we devote one evening to learning 10 native trees by using samples of bark, cones, and needles. Everyone takes home a bag of branches to allow continued study. Registration is now open through Wenatchee Valley College Continuing Education website. We are already 75% full for the course that runs on Wednesday evenings from Sept. 26-Dec.19 with four Saturday field trips on Sept. 29, Oct. 13, Nov. 17, and Dec. 1.
I’ll have to check that out! That sounds really neat.