The traits most often used to describe tree species—leaves, buds, and twigs—are often not clearly visible or, in the case of leaves, absent more than half the year. Join Michael Wojtech for an exploration of bark, the tree characteristic that is always visible in every season. Learn how bark can be classified into ten different types, and how differences within each bark type can be used to identify trees. Discover why such a variety of bark characteristics exist – smooth, thick and broken, peeling. After an indoor presentation, head outdoors to practice identifying trees. Open to naturalists at all levels of experience. Michael will be available to sign copies of his book, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast described at www.knowyourtrees.com