This weekend intermediate to advanced botanical tree course will equip you with the skills needed to confidently identify conifer trees; focusing on accuracy and diagnostic features.
This course will include:
- Recognition and naming of major parts of a conifer, with reference to how they aid botanical identification.
- Use of botanical keys and other identification resources.
- Practical experience identifying conifers.



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In this course you will get to grips with different keys to identification, beginning by considering the key features of the different families and genera of conifers, studying specimens of different cones and foliage, and practising looking for appropriate characters to confirm the species. All with the close support and guidance of our expert tutor.
Winter, when most of our native plants have lost their leaves and there are few flowers, offers a wonderful opportunity to focus our attention on the conifers – most of which are evergreen and still bear cones. Trees and associated shrubs make up an obvious feature of the British landscape, from lowland heath-land species, to upland and montane forests rich with bryophytes and lichens.
British flora is remarkably poor in diversity of native conifers but many introduced species are a major feature of our landscape. However, our native and non-native trees are coming under direct threat from a number of challenges: climate change, pollution, development of ancient woodland sites, and a number of diseases and pests. Government agencies, forestry companies, conservation charities and other organisations are undertaking widespread planting schemes to counteract this. The challenge ahead is ensuring that this is sustainably done, utilising appropriate species and sites – a sound understanding of conifer trees and their identification will be key to this.
What will be covered during this course?
- The course will be delivered through a combination of seminars, laboratory identification sessions and practical field work.
- Identifying a range of woody plant species in the field and in the lab.
- Systematic approaches to identification using dichotomous keys.
- The problems of challenging taxa such as Pinus, Picea, Abies and others.
- How to record and deal with these groups individually and also as part of recording schemes.
- Techniques for collecting voucher specimens for validation. Problems with bulky species. The importance of collecting vouchers for identification. Use of collector and determiners.
- The use of referees and the validating system for difficult higher plant groups. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland and their system of vice-county recorders and referees who can give a determination for species.
- Awareness of published resources for identification; i.e. handbooks, cribs, general guides, online.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Distinguish the flowering and vegetative parts of a range of conifer taxa and identify a range of common plants to genus/species level using a botanical key.
- Recognise and name the major parts of a conifer; with reference to how they can be used in practical botanical identification (naming of parts and botanical glossary).
- Recognise the main groups of Conifers.
- Utilise a standard flora (e.g. Stace 2010/2019), with an understanding of how to use these keys more effectively.
Who Should Attend? General interest (amateur/professional), Local Authority ecologists, ecological consultants, conservation officers and staff within SNCOs and NGOs, students, environmental managers, land managers, wardens
and rangers.
Knowledge Level – Intermediate to advanced. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors
Prior Knowledge– No existing knowledge or experience is essential, but attendees will gain the most from this course if they have some prior understanding of the parts of a plants and associated terminology, have used a key (not necessarily botanical) and have some prior knowledge of UK flora. This course is aimed at Field Identification Skills Certificate levels 2-3+. Students with higher level FISC e.g. 4+ who want to develop confidence in keys may also find this course useful.
Please Note: 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. Please see the ‘What’s Included’ section for more information about accommodation and meals.
Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
About the Tutor
Mark Duffell
Mark Duffell is an experienced botanist with a lifetime’s interest in plants. He currently splits his time between running Arvensis Ecology (conducting botanical surveys and teaching botanical identification to undergraduate and postgraduate University students, consultants and environmental organisations) and working as a Lecturer with MMU on their MSc in ‘Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring’.
Example Timetable
Example Timetable
This timetable is subject to change and timings are provisional, but should give an outline of what to expect. There will be breaks during the day for refreshments, lunch, and dinner.
Arrival on the Friday in time for dinner at 18:30.
Friday (19:00-21:00)
- An introduction to the course.
- Overview of what makes a conifer and identification using ‘cones’.
Saturday (09:30-21:00)
- Morning- Looking at vegetative identification features; using keys to identify species (a range of keys and resources will be shown) - working in groups and individually.
- Afternoon- After lunch, a visit to Nesscliffe Woods is undertaken to view a range of species in the field and identify them using keys and resources.
- Evening- View a range of plant material from different groups (e.g. Pinus, Picea, Abies etc.) - working in small groups/individually.
Sunday (09:30-16:00)
- Meet in classroom. Review any features as required for an hour.
- Leave for the Royal Forestry Society – Charles Ackers Redwood Grove and Naylor Pinetum in nearby Welshpool.
- Summary session back at field Centre ready for finish at 16:00.
What's Included
The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you continue to build and develop your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.
The course includes:
- Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
- Field excursions to apply new knowledge
- Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
- Clear objectives and progression
- Refreshments (tea and coffee)
You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing this course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.
Accommodation and meal options
We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.
For courses runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:
• Non-Resident
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)
If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this includes course tuition, refreshments (tea and coffee), and an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday. Please bring your own packed lunch for Saturday and Sunday. Please arrive by 6 pm on the Friday for the evening meal.
If you choose a Resident (Sole Occupancy) booking, this includes accommodation with your own bedroom for two nights (Friday night and Saturday night) and meals throughout the course (including an evening meal on the Friday night through to packed lunch on the Sunday). You will be able to check in from 4 pm on the Friday.
If your booking has more than one person and you would like a shared room, please email [email protected] to inquire.
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.
Bursaries and Subsidies
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.
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.
Before You Attend
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 make any necessary adjustments.
What to Bring
Please bring the following with you if you can:
- Hand lens (x10 magnification) - can be borrowed from the Centre.
- Appropriate casual clothing.
- Stout shoes or boots (wellies can be borrowed from the Centre).
- Waterproofs (just in case!) – these can be borrowed from the Centre.
Small rucksack or bag. - Lunchbox, water bottle and/or thermos flask.
- Notepad, pens and pencils.
- Binoculars if you have them.
- Clear plastic ruler (available to borrow from the centre).
Recommended Reading
- Stace C.A. New Flora of the British Isles 4th Ed. (2019). C&M Floristics.
- Johnson, O. and More, D. Collins Tree Guide (2006) (or others) for trees.
Opportunities to attend this course
-
Fri 10, October 2025 18:30 - Sun 12, October 2025 16:00
- Non-resident Booking- please arrive from 6 pm on Friday for the evening meal.
- Resident (Sole Occupancy) Booking- check in from 4 pm on Friday with accommodation Friday and Saturday night.
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Progress Your Learning
This is a training course from the Field Studies Council, delivered by expert tutors with an approachable learning style. After attending this course, you may like to progress your learning with further relevant courses or branch out into other areas of natural history. The Field Studies Council offers both online and in-person courses, so you can choose the learning style that suits you best.
The course gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new subject and acquire novel skills. Our online portal gives you time to study at your own pace and fit the lessons around your own schedule.
If you have any questions about our courses please check our Frequently Asked Questions or email [email protected].
Group Bookings Made Easy
If you have a group of 10 or more individuals wanting to complete one of our courses, our team are available to discuss your options – from discounts to private team courses. Click here to find out more!
You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be at your fingertips. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.