Journey into the World of Trees

Several years ago I heard that children are able to identify logos of different companies, such as Pepsi and Burger King, but couldn't identify trees.  How absurd I thought! I was embarrassed to admit that I was one of those kids! 

I walked around DC and delighted in the beautiful flowering trees and wondered how the trees survived with only flowers and no leaves during springtime.  I marveled at the graceful tree limbs dancing on the Mall and in Meridian Hill Park in winter.  I collected beautiful golden and red leaves in autumn. 

I got books about trees to see if I can learn more about them, but this did not take me too far.  I was perplexed at how to identify trees using these books.  I was able to identify a few of them, but still my journey into the world of trees did not really take off till I came across Casey  Trees, a local nonprofit that helps to preserve the tree canopy in DC by teaching people about trees and getting them involved in community plantings.  This only scratches the surface of what they do.  To learn more, visit their website at http://www.caseytrees.org/. 

I have taken several classes through Casey Trees and have been involved in community tree plantings.  Most recently I participated in a tree identification class and helped to take inventory of some of DC's biggest trees in the Palisades neighborhood.

We saw many American Elms, Red Oaks, Tulip Trees and more!  It was quite exciting to be able to walk up to a tree and look at the leaves and identify it!  I have come a long way from not knowing anything about trees. 

However, my journey is just beginning!  I would like to participate in a dialogue about trees, learn stories about them, do walking tours of the city and teach others about trees in this area. Hopefully this will help people to better appreciate the trees around them and take care of them, instead of walking right past them! 

I look forward to sharing stories, images, questions and resources with others who want to journey into the world of trees!