No leaves? No problem! Use a combination of branching patterns, bud and bark characteristics, habitat, persistent fruits, galls and marcescent leaves to identify shrubs in winter. The New England Wild Flower Society program begins with a short session indoors on Saturday, January 25, beginning at 10 am, then we travel to a nearby site for a close look at 15-20 native New England shrubs plus a couple of non-native invasives. Return indoors for a twig or slide quiz and a cup of something hot. This course serves as a good introduction to shrub identification in winter or a good review for those who have taken “Native New England Shrubs.†Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one, and dress for the weather. Co-sponsored with Mass Audubon, and led by Roland “Boot” Boutwell, the course fee is $20 for members of the sponsoring organizations, and $25 for nonmembers. Register online at www.newfs.org/learn/catalog/fdt1114.
