“The wonder is that we can see these trees and not wonder more.”
It’s no surprise that Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote these words. The famous American writer was intimately connected to trees: He planted trees, gathered their fruits, and taught his children the value of learning their names.
Emerson spoke the language of trees, yet was still humble enough to acknowledge that every encounter with trees presented a fresh opportunity to engage in wonder.
Who are you? How old are you? Why are you here? Can you say anything about the underlying rocks? What can you tell us about the broader ecosystem?
In the spirit of Ralph Waldo Emerson, you and I can ask these kinds of questions every time we encounter a tree. When we ask questions, we engage in wonder.
A basic step we can then take to answer those questions is first to learn the names of trees. Fortunately, there are many ways to learn. We can:
- Study tree ID field guides
- Learn how to use dichotomous keys
- Learn all major physical features of trees (buds, bark, leaves, flowers, etc.)
- Learn habitat characteristics of trees
- Attend tree ID walks
- Visit arboretums (where trees are often labeled)
- Cultivate friendships with local tree enthusiasts
- Teach others what we have learned
If you’re looking for a carefully curated opportunity to improve your tree identification skills, consider enrolling in Trees In All Seasons. This online course teaches you how to identify 100 trees in every season. It’s currently on sale through Monday, December 23.
You can register and learn more about the course here.
Regardless of how you decide to learn, I strongly encourage you to hone your tree identification skills over time. With learning comes wonder, appreciation, love, and the unraveling of at least some of nature’s mysteries.
—Adam Haritan
Paths I Walk 
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