WWW Explorers Club- Tree ID at Casey Rd Conservation Area

The air was still and the clouds were spitting at us. Still, we were up for an adventure- umbrella, camera, action. Once we got into the woods, there was no rain and we got to enjoy the walk unhindered. The birds seemed to notice that we were enjoying their woods.  They sang to us the whole time- as if to say, “We like this place too!”Looking at the leaf guide found here, we each picked a few that we wanted to find. My oldest wanted to find the Yellow Birch. He said, “It looks like gold!”My youngest chose a couple, but distracted little one that he is, he didn’t bother to search for them. That is, until he found THE tree: a massive White Pine. Obviously affected by the Pine Weevil as a young pine, it forks into several massive trunks about 3 feet up.They loved the stream, and found a great rock to climb onto in the middle. With the water being low, the rocks to walk on were plentiful, and made for a wonderful spot to explore.For me, trees are all like friends. Each one willing to support you and listen. Each one wanting the same respect in return. Though our needs are different, the trees speak of history as each one contributes to the puzzle of nature. If you take a moment to look, each tree has a reason why it sprouted where it did, why it did or did not thrive there. The branches tell of each one’s upbringing.One tree was hit by ice when it was young, you can tell the way it curves and then keeps growing straight up towards the sun. One was growing in a place with little soil to hold its roots to and tipped over- but only until it landed against another tree and could keep growing, with some roots still in place and being supported by the other tree.Nature gives us a sense of belonging, because we can see and know its history, and really, isn’t that all we want- to be seen and known?Join in on the journey with nature and bring your children along- find the map for the Casey Road Conservation Area here, and join the Woods, Water, & Wildlife Explorers Club here.