Once leaves fall, trees start to look fairly similar to anyone who isn't looking fairly close -- but a group hike drew an estimated 30 people to learn more about the differences in Bella Vista's flora in winter last Saturday.
During the roughly two-and-a-quarter mile hike, participants learned subtle differences between different trailside trees. They pointed out white and red oaks, Chinkapin, dogwood, serviceberry trees, the odd black haw, hickory, maple and others -- primarily by looking at the trees' bark and the shape of their twigs and branches and, in some cases, the leaf buds on them.
The hike was led by master naturalists Cris and Eleanor Jones, who have been married 53 years. Cris Jones also has a bachelor of science in forestry from Louisiana State University, earned back in 1961, as well as a master of science in forestry earned at Duke University in 1965.
In 1991 he earned a master of business administration at Oral Roberts University and worked as a CPA until he retired in 2016. Since then he's continued to enjoy the woods -- despite some asking how he continues to hike at his age.
"The trick is to never stop," he said.
Eleanor Jones said that, after joining with some of the other group hikes, she and her husband got into talks with Bella Vista trails coordinator Kay Curry and eventually decided to lead one of their own. She'll be back, she said, to lead another hike covering wildflowers this spring.
"I grew up outdoors," she said. "When I met him we was a good fit."
The group went along part of a trail called SBAT, running from Bedford Lane to the intersection of Grosvenor Road and Trafalgar Road. The trail winds through what's classified as an Eastern oak hickory forest, Cris Jones said.
It's more difficult to tell trees apart in the winter, he said, because the leaves and color aren't there to serve as a simple identifier -- but that doesn't mean trees can't be identified.
"There's a lot of diversity here that you don't really recognize," he said.
Bark, which varies immensely, is a primary identifier, though the layout of branches and leaves also helps. Typically, he said, trees feature either alternate or opposite leaf and branch patterns. In an opposite pattern, he said, leaves and branches form opposite each other, while an alternate pattern will have a branch or leaf on one side of the limb, then another further up on the other.
One interesting case, he said, was the black walnut tree, which has a different bark pattern on the lower portion. The older, lower wood has deep fissures in the bark, while the higher portions of the tree will be somewhat smoother.
Cris Jones said he had a good time on the hike and enjoyed the chance to share some of his knowledge.
Eleanor Jones said she was proud of the group because, by the end of the hike when walkers left the dirt and headed down the street, most of them could positively identify nearly anything she pointed at.
Curry said she was pleased with the turnout and glad that the hike was able to go on despite the rainy forecast.
"I'm so lucky to find Eleanor and Cris," she said. "They're both so knowledgeable."
It was particularly helpful, she said, that the two always work together. With only one presenter, she said, it can be hard for everyone on a hike to be part of a discussion, but a second presenter makes it easier to reach everyone.
Bella Vista resident Michael Avenoso said he had a great time.
Avenoso said it was a good chance to get outside, learn a few things and visit with some old friends -- though it did prove somewhat difficult to stay with either presenter. A third, he said, could have made it easier to hear more.
"It was really a great walk," he said. "I enjoyed it."
General News on 02/21/2018