Broadleaf Trees: Summer Identification, Ecology and Surveying- HAU

Trees and associated shrubs make up an obvious feature of the British landscape, from lowland heathland species to upland and montane forests rich with bryophytes and lichens. Our tree species are coming under direct threat from several challenges: climate change, pollution, development of ancient woodland sites as well as diseases and pests. Against this government agencies, forestry companies, conservation charities and other organisations are undertaking widespread and widescale planting schemes. Trees provide a range of Ecosystem Services (such as carbon sequestration) and are both an important component of many valued habitats, whilst being critical habitats for a diversity of species of conservation concern (e.g., dead wood invertebrates associated with veteran trees). The challenge ahead is to make sure any planting is sustainable and utilises appropriate species and sites.  This course focuses on diagnostic features and identification of native broadleaf trees during the summer months as well as evaluating their contribution to ecosystem services and place within the wider plant kingdom.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 

• Critically assess the placement of broadleaf trees within the plant kingdom, examining their evolution as angiosperms. Analyse the anatomical structures that define broadleaf trees, incorporating an understanding of their development, adaptive strategies, and the ecological implications of their structural features.
• Evaluate their contributions to ecosystem services, including biodiversity support, climate regulation, and their significance in habitat conservation efforts, using case studies to illustrate these roles in UK ecosystems.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using dichotomous keys and other identification tools to accurately identify broadleaf trees based on leaves, flowers, and other key characteristics.

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists. This intermediate level course is open to anyone with some existing knowledge of the subject. This course is for those aged 18 and over only.
(You do not need to be a Harper Adams University student to attend this course).

Knowledge Level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors .

Accommodation and meals

There are three booking options which all include course tuition, evening meals and refreshments:

• Non-Resident (Breakfast and lunch not included)
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)
• Resident (Shared room- please email [email protected] to inquire about this option)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that bathrooms may be shared for accommodation bookings.

If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Laurie Wildwood

Laurie Wildwood is a professional Ecological Consultant and botany tutor who, with his refreshing approach, aims to inspire adults and children to explore and appreciate the natural world. His professional background is in ecology, conservation and habitat management.

Interested in becoming a HAU student?

You can find out more about the Biological Recording and Analysis programme here.

Existing HAU Biological Recording and Analysis Students

This 2.5 day course is one of your optional modules. You will be asked to choose your modules through HAU, and then you will book your accommodation and meal options through the Field Studies Council via an online form we will share with HAU.

If are a student and need more information about this course or the booking process, please email [email protected].

The summative assessment for this module will be set by HAU and will be completed and marked after the course.

Example Timetable

Please note that this course is currently being developed for 2025 as part of the Harper Adams University ‘Biological Recording and Analysis’ course, so there may be small changes to the example timetable outlined below. Once a detailed schedule has been produced, this will be shared with participants.

Friday

• 1pm - Course begins. Mixture of classroom and field site visits
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Saturday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Sunday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.

Lunch will likely be in the field, so please make sure you make yourself a packed lunch at the centre if you choose a residential booking, or bring a packed lunch with you if you choose a non-residential booking.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  In Course Transport

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the topic
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

What to Bring

• Notebook and pencil
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• A vacuum flask / drink bottle and a bag or a box for carrying a packed lunch.
• x10 Hand lens (if you have one)
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Your preferred tree ID resources/ guides

Recommended Literature

• Stace C.A. New Flora of the British Isles 3rd Ed. (2010). CUP
• Johnson, O. and More, D. Collins Tree Guide (2006) (or others) for trees.

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.