Every species of tree has unique characteristics, from its bark to its leaves, that you can use as clues to identify it—without using the internet. Beyond using this knowledge as a party trick to ...

DARIEN -- Most people walk past trees and plants every day without paying much attention to the biological diversity surrounding them. "A lot of people walk through, and all they see is a tree," said ...

Q. Two years ago we planted two types of red maple, and they had done well. Now, on one tree, the bark is falling off the trunk but the other tree doesn't have this irregularity. Any ideas as to what ...

A walk in the woods this time of year is different. It’s quiet and monochromatic. Other than the crunch of your shoes on frozen ground, there isn’t as much to see or hear as a forest in spring or ...

Every year I teach several winter-tree identification classes. Even though they are always held outdoors no matter how cold it is, student evaluations indicate such classes are generally fun. Showing ...

Depending on your point of view, having a large collection of field guides is either an occupational hazard or a perk of the work for a naturalist. This week I read Michael Wojtech’s book "Bark: A ...

One day as I walked up to my hospital, I saw two trees at the entrance that were striking. At issue was the fact that I could not identify them! I am no expert, but I know most trees. I began digging.

Q: I wanted to share a picture with you of my clematis climbing my 6-foot arbor. The plant is around 10 years old. I cut it back in the fall to a height of about 6 inches and cover the base with dried ...

Our winter landscapes need not be dull in winter, as in our Zone 7 we can grow many kinds of plants with winter interest, the broadleaf and coniferous evergreens, ornamental grasses, and berried trees ...

The classic and trusted book “Fifty Common Trees of Indiana” by T.E. Shaw was published in 1956 as a user-friendly guide to local species. Nearly 70 years later, the publication has been updated ...