I have long been thinking about a course focusing on trees and their role in ecosystems. It so happens that Bucknell University is dedicating a whole year to presentations about trees. I hope that this course will nicely add to this series in its own way. We will delve into the biology of trees, trying to answer questions like …

How do white pines, oaks and date palms differ from one another? How does a tree form a branch, and why do palm trees have no branches? Why could one build a tunnel through a giant Sequoia in Yosemite’s Mariposa grove without killing the tree? What happens in the fall when leaves change their color? What are the advantages of different bark types? What makes a forest? Are all forests “created equal”? What is an urban forest? How were trees incorporated into city planning and why?

We will arrive at answers through lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations (which will be shared after the presentation by email) and our own observations, supported by various wood and eclectic tree products we all have invariably picked up in our backyards or on our walks. I am considering voluntary excursions like a tree walk on the campus of Bucknell, Dale’s Ridge, and/or R.B. Winter State Park to round out our experience. I am hoping that you will walk away from this course with a heightened appreciation of trees.

This class will include lecture and group activities. Optional field trips in small groups will also be offered.