VDOF Forester Patti Nylander

On Sunday, November 13, Virginia Department of Forestry Senior Area Forester Patti Nylander hosted a tree identification trip for 13 members of this year’s Headwaters Master Naturalist basic training class. Trainees were joined by two current HMNs as Patti led a walk around the grounds of the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, VA.

While the field trip was intended as a “winter tree identification” outing, many of the beautiful trees at Woodrow Wilson still had their leaves, which made identification a little less challenging! Trainees had an opportunity to practice using keys from the Common Native Trees of Virginia text in determining the identity of trees like Scarlett and Black Oak and Virginia Pines.

– Peggy Plass, Cohort IV

Photos by Peggy Plass

Mary Gatling-Finks, Cohort V, studies a tree

Sue Gier, Cohort V, pointing out something of interest.

Morgan and Ben Martindell, Cohort V, and Janet James, Cohort III working on their tree ID skills

Patti’s had full of maple leaves