“Does anyone want to smell this?” Amy May, the director of TreeUtah inquires of our group as she passes around a small segment of the broken branch. “Do you think it might smell like bitter almonds?”
We used a dichotomous key to investigate each designated tree that we came to with ambitions of properly identifying trees in winter. This is an engaging activity that is annually spearheaded by Ranger Kathy Donnell of Wasatch Mountain State Park. She has over 20 years of experience in the State Parks bringing meaningful opportunities for visitors to discover the local ecosystem and what the park has to offer. It is clear that she knows all the right questions to ask to spark awareness and thoughtful responses in the crowd:
“And why would we want to learn how to identify these trees here in the winter?”
Participants pause and give various answers including, “to appreciate the cycles of nature,” “so we can get to know these trees better,” and “to connect with nature.”
With the distinguishing song of the Chickadee and the sweet gurgling of the meandering Pine Creek, we had many chances to tune in to the beauty of our surroundings. Everyone’s top conversation was directly linked to these trees, on this mountain, at this moment. Presence is a gift that we don’t always give ourselves or each other in today’s culture. However, the call to investigate the branches, buds, and needles of trees brought about a sense of curiosity and mindfulness that seemed nurturing.
Many deciduous trees such as Serviceberry, Big tooth maple, and Narrow leaf cottonwood were identified, as well as coniferous trees such as Juniper and White fir. Not only did we get to identify a variety of species native to the area, but we also learned about the ecology of each species. Red osier dogwood, for instance, is ceremonially smoked by some Native Americans and browsed by beavers, elk, deer, birds, and many other wildlife. We even spotted curious tracks in the snow made by mysterious quadrupedal mammals.
Exploring Wasatch Mountain State Park with TreeUtah, Kathy Donnell, and all the amazing people that turned out for the event was a collaborative and immersive way to spend a Saturday morning in the winter! Another tree identification Snowshoe Hike will take place on February 21st at the park. Keep connected to learn of this and other extraordinary events and volunteer opportunities with TreeUtah, as we continue to cultivate a thriving urban tree canopy along the Wasatch front and beyond.
