Tree ID For Early Spring

DANBURY — The Audubon Center at Bent of the River is offering a short course, “Tree Identification in Early Spring,” taught by center manager John Longstreth. The course will run for four weeks and is suitable for the beginning or intermediate amateur naturalists. The first session is Saturday, March 22, at the Audubon Center from 2 to 4 pm.

Early spring tree identification entails the use of shape, bark, habitat, and buds to solve the puzzle. After taking this course, graduates will know most local trees and shrubs by sight, and will be able to use a classification key to identify trees and shrubs throughout New England.

The first session will be mostly indoors and will cover basic plant anatomy, bark textures, tree shapes, and using a key. The following three sessions will be entirely in the field.

The short course fee is $50 for National Audubon members or $85 for nonmembers (which includes $35 for membership). Call the Bent of the River 264-5098 to reserve a place in the class.

The trails of the center are open to visitors every day, dawn to dusk. The center is at 185 East Flat Hill Road, off Route 172 in South Britain.