Thank you to BCIT instructor, Julia Alards-Tomalin, for leading a Buds, Branches, and Bark Walk on January 20 along the Red Alder Trail! 19 participants gathered to learn how to identify plants in Winter. The key, Julia shared, is to examine the buds, bark, branches, and also use your sense of smell. Plants grow from the tips of the branches out, and the top most bud on a branch is called an apical bud. The bud is covered in a hard bud scale that protects it like armour. When that bud scale falls off, the leaves and flowers are able to unfurl. Also, there are tiny holes along a branch, called lenticel, that allow the branch to "breathe". Amazing! Together, we walked through the Red Alder Trail and learned how to identify Red Alder, Big leaf Maple, snowberry, oceanspray, and osoberry. We had a surprise visit by a red breasted sapsucker who was pecking at a Big leaf maple tree just above us. In addition, we were surprised by a plump grey squirrel who ended up breaking a branch and falling to the snowbank (don’t worry, he was back up and climbing the tree a moment later). We concluded our walk with some wonderful hot tea and snacks. Thanks so much to Julia for sharing all your incredible knowledge with us!! You have opened our eyes to a whole new way of looking at plants in the Winter ❤️ This free community event was possible thanks to funding from Park People / Ami·es des parcs. Photo credit: Kevin Jinn of Carleton Landscaping #southvan #winter #nativeplants #walk #education #event #community #nature
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