Trees make up one of the most impressive and beautiful features of our landscape – undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of our natural heritage. The different seasons are reflected dramatically in their changing appearance throughout the year.  Late May is a great time for looking at broad-leaved trees as their leaves are fully formed and some will still be flowering. This course is concerned with their identification.  We will explore the natural history of our native trees and look at how to recognise individual species. The main emphasis will be on trees that are native to Britain, but we will also pay attention to well-established, introduced species.  We will practise working with different keys to identification.  Part of each day will be spent in the classroom, sorting through specimens, and getting to grips with the terminology of the different shapes of leaves and the different floral designs of those that are still in flower. We shall also spend plenty of time exploring the Botanic Garden for our native trees to put into practice what we have learned. This course is suitable for beginners and all those who love trees.  No previous knowledge will be assumed.

Please bring with you if you can:

• Appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear
• A picnic lunch though lunch can also be purchased at the Garden Café
• A x10 magnification hand lens (available on the course for loan or sale, approximately £9)
• Transparent ruler (available on loan)

Suggested Books:

It is not necessary to purchase any books before the course or to bring any with you.  However, you might like to have with you, a picture guide that you are used to using, especially if it arranges its trees in family order.

• British Trees: A photographic guide to every common species by Sterry (Collins)
• Collins Tree Guide by Johnson and More (Harper Collins)
• New Flora of the British Isles by Stace (CUP ideally 4^th edit)
• Ros will introduce her own key to native trees from her recently published book Tree-spotting (Welbeck)

There will be copies of these and many other tree books available for reference in the classroom.

Ros Bennett is a freelance botanist and ecologist. She has been teaching courses on plant identification to professionals, amateurs, and beginners from all age groups for over 40 years, both at home and abroad.