Winter often brings a stark, seemingly lifeless landscape. But beneath the snow and bare branches lies a hidden world of beauty – the intricate textures and patterns of tree bark. With leaves absent, the bark takes center stage, revealing its unique characteristics and stories.

Why Winter is Prime Time for Bark Appreciation

• Unveiled Beauty: Without the leafy canopy, tree bark becomes fully visible. Its colors, textures, and patterns stand out in the winter sunlight, creating a striking contrast.
• Identification: Winter is an excellent time to practice tree identification skills. Bark is a key feature, offering clues to a tree’s species, age, and health.
• Insights: Bark provides a protective layer for trees, shielding them from harsh weather, pests, and diseases. Studying bark can offer insights into a tree’s adaptations and resilience.

Tips for Appreciating Winter Bark

• Take a Walk: Explore your local arboreta, parks or forests in winter. Bring a camera or sketchbook to capture the beauty you find.
• Look Closely: Examine the bark’s texture, color, and patterns. Notice the variations within a single tree and between different species.
• Learn the Lingo: Familiarize yourself with terms like lenticels, fissures, and scales to better understand bark characteristics.
• Use Resources: Field guides and online resources can help you identify trees by their bark and learn more about their unique features.

Winter may seem like a time of dormancy, but it’s also a season of subtle beauty and hidden stories. By taking a closer look at tree bark, you can discover a new appreciation for the natural world and the resilience of trees.

This is the perfect time of year to visit the City of Dickson Arboretum at Buckner Park, so pick a clear sunny day to wander through and pay attention to the tree bark. The Shagbark Hickory and River Birch are particularly interesting and beautiful.

Want to know more?

https://www.americanforests.org/article/the-language-of-bark/

https://crowspath.org/natural-history/trees/bark/