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You might think the forest in January doesn’t have a lot to offer. But with leaves down and branches bare, the winter forest allows an unobstructed view of the trees, especially their shape, bark, and growth patterns.
If bare trees appeal to you, or if you just want to get out of the house, you will enjoy “The Body Language of Trees,” a guided walk through the woodlands of the Brushy Hills Preserve this Saturday, Jan. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. The inclement weather date is Sunday.
The walk will be led by David Rosher, a local arborist with a deep knowledge of Brushy Hills and its ecology. Walkers will meet at the parking lot by the springhouse, 1010 Union Run, before heading out on the trails.
Rosher will discuss how to identify different species of trees by looking at features like bark, twig structure, and the overall shape of the tree. “We’ll see how the growth form of trees is affected by location and interactions with neighboring trees,” said Rosher. “We’ll also talk about how a tree’s shape can give clues to past land use and natural disturbances.”
Another feature of the winter forest, Rosher noted, is the evergreen trees, less common in Brushy Hills than deciduous trees. “While the evergreens tend to be hidden behind leaves in the summer,” he said, “in the winter they become much more visible.”
Rosher wants walkers to know that this outing is about “the joy of just looking at the trees.”
The walk is sponsored by the Friends of Brushy Hills, a volunteer organization whose mission is to protect the natural integrity of Brushy Hills for the benefit of the public. By agreement with the city of Lexington, the Friends serve as stewards of the Preserve.
For more information, or a weather update, contact Rosher: [email protected].
