Steve Sader, Professor of Forest Resources at University of Maine, introduced the group to the challenge on how to identify deciduous trees and shrubs in winter. Equipped with hand lenses and magnifying glasses the group set out, amidst gently falling slow. Sounds seemed muffled except the rushing water of Pushaw Stream. Besides trees we saw much beaver activity, particularly on Black ashes. See for yourself ….
Buds through a loupe
Beaver damage exposes heartwood on this Black ash (Fraxinus nigra)
Looks like cornflakes but taste like turpentine – spruce bark
If all fails look for leaves at the base of the tree
Northern Red oak (Quercus rubra) buds – clustered at the tip
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) older tree
Corn-flake-like bark – Spruce
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) with resin blisters (smooth bumps)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) – slender pointed buds
A common sight – American Beech bark with cankers caused by an insect and a fungi
