Getting to Know Conifers

In winter, when there are very few flowers around and most of our native plants have lost their leaves, there is a wonderful opportunity to focus our attention on identifying the conifers - most of which are evergreen and still bear cones.

During this conifer identification course you will spend time in and around Juniper Hall considering the key features of the different families and genera of conifers and how we might begin to separate the different species. Specimens of different cones and foliage will be available to study. You will build confidence in field recognition of the major genera of conifers and practice looking for appropriate characters to confirm the species.

The British flora is remarkably poor in diversity of native conifers but many introduced species form a major feature in our landscape.

On Sunday afternoon you will visit Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent which has the finest British collection of this magnificent group of trees. You will have the opportunity there to study the unusual and uncommon members of this wonderful group of plants.

This weekend of getting to know conifers is suitable for beginners and all those who love trees. No previous knowledge is assumed.

Ros Bennett is an experienced freelance botanist and ecologist. She was formerly a full-time FSC tutor at Flatford Mill and then organiser and leader of courses for FSC Overseas. She has written books on flowers and has taught courses on plant identification and ecology to all age groups.

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