Seasonal Sightings Learn more or test your tree ID skills at a District program this winter! Trees in Winter Experience Evergreens! (p. 11) Winter Tree ID (p. 16) by Education and Visitor Center Services Coordinator Kim Compton Many think the lack of green in the winter makes the landscape look barren. But the lack of leaves on trees gives us a chance to see much more than we can in summer months. Woodpecker holes, squirrel nests, bird nests, lichen and bark beetle tunnels all suddenly become easy to see. And the trees themselves show o昀昀 their shape, size and branch structure, meaning you can identify tree species in winter, even without their leaves! A majestic crowned bur oak with its spindly branches and stout trunk is beautiful to behold. Go for a walk in the woods this winter and see what you can identify! Identifying by Shape Identifying by Bark A) are Mature black cherry trees (A) are very distinguishable by bark. Shagbark hickory trees ( usually tall and narrow while The bark looks like burnt corn昀氀akes which just happens to start weeping willows (B) are wide with the same letters as the tree, "bc" for black cherry, a tip to and arching. Bur oaks have help you remember. Shagbark hickory (B) is pretty obvious as spindly branches and black well with “shaggy” peeling bark. walnuts are full and round. A B Identifying by Branching Tree branches can either be opposite or alternate. An opposite tree will have a twig sticking out of both sides of a branch on the exact same spot (unless it broke o昀昀 or was eaten by an animal). A tree with alternate branching has twigs alternating A B up and down the branches, not directly across from each other. When you identify the branching style, you have narrowed your Evergreens search. In our area only maples, ashes, dogwoods, and non- native horse chestnut and buckthorn are opposite. Of course evergreens do still have their leaves, or needles, and so that is the easiest way to identify them in the winter. Pine Opposite Alternate trees have needles in bundles—multiple needles come from the twig in the same spot. Red pines have 2" longer needles in bundles and white pines have 5" medium length needles. Identifying by Twigs Spruce and 昀椀r trees have needles all over the twig in singles. Twigs are probably the most unique by species and a good way Spruce needles are four sided and can be rolled between your to identify trees in winter. Sugar maples (C) have reddish very 昀椀ngers. Fir tree needles are 昀氀at and will not roll if you try to pointed buds while hickory trees (D) have fuzzy large terminal rub them between your 昀椀ngers. Although evergreens are not buds on the end of the twig. Bur oaks (E) have a cluster of buds native to McHenry County, we have a large variety that were at the end of the twig. planted and still live in our conservation areas. Pine Spruce / Fir B R BR U T u ob uob n . D g g i w R we v a ou C r D e v E o ot r i o o V sis S d.t d.i t l dé y y o e o , d rgdge rgk Bn i u o , g , D r S or w , T a o h u on o e O l d. t i C c o h o u rgi l m o S l e K ge t f a , t t . e , 8 Landscapes | Winter 2023-24