Discover the many plants that lend bark, buds, fruit and structural interest to the garden in fall and winter, in this in-person Berkshire Botanical Garden class on February 27 from 10 – 2. Under the expert guidance of certified arborists Melissa LeVangie and Tom Ingersoll, students will develop the ability to identify winter trees by twig and bud anatomy, bark features and plant architecture while practicing their skills with winter tree dichotomous keys.  Masks required. There is a wait list for this program. To put your name on the list, visit https://www.berkshirebotanical.org/events/bark-and-buds-using-tree-key

Melissa LeVangie, Certified Arborist (MCA, ISA, NH) CTSP is a passionate educator about trees, tree care and tree climbing who has been in the industry for 20 years. She holds numerous professional certifications, including an ISA Certified Arborist, an ISA Tree Climbing Specialist, a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and TCIA Certified Tree Safety Professional credentials. She is a past president of MA Tree Wardens & Foresters Association and of the New England Chapter of ISA, a co-founder of the WTCW (Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop) and the educational director and a business development advocate for Shelter Tree/RBI, a premier arborist equipment supplier. Formerly, Melissa conducted climbing inspections for Asian Longhorned Beetle for the USDA and DCR in Worcester, MA.

Tom Ingersoll is a Massachusetts Certified Arborist, and is also certified by the International Society of Arborists. He owns Ingersoll Landcare located in Sheffield, MA and has worked in the landscape industry for the past 23 years. His passion is tree care, and he serves both public and private clients in the tri-state region. Additionally, he serves on the boards of the Berkshire Botanical Garden and The Sheffield Tree Project.