Conifer ID courses or Keys?

[Jon Heuch]

My conifer ID is pretty bad and want to improve on it, can anyone recommend any good courses or have a good ID key outside of the normal books that they can suggest or send me?

 

Depends where you are. Bedgebury is clearly the best place to go for a wander but if you are a long way away you might have to settle for something less comprehensive. Also depends on what level you want to study - genus, species or cultivar?

 

Kent Wildlife Trust has held a one day walk around with botanist Ros Bennett but I cannot find their normal timetable of events on their website. Worth giving them a call.

 

if you want to differentiate species of spruce, fir and to a lesser extent pine you will need a) a hand lens b) a key - Mitchell's book has several and you will need to become acquainted with the various characters used in the key. Until you have mastered them I wouldn't bother seeking other keys. This takes time and commitment; some of the features will drive you potty as some features are variable so it is only experience with the trees that will get you going in the right direction.

 

If you are interested in cultivars RHS Wisley might be of some use.

 

If you are interested in the basics the FSC Tree identification courses - FSC . In fact Ros Bennett (as above) is running one of them.

[Betula]

The Field Studies Council do some well priced courses and there are some good videos on youtube also

[Anno]

don't forget your sense of smell too...