Barking Up the Right Tree‏

Camden/Rockport, Maine - Learn to identify Maine’s native trees by bark alone at a workshop and tree walk led by Camden arborist Douglas N. Johnson at Merryspring Nature Center on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

The program will consist of one-third indoor classroom time and two-thirds spent outdoors and is suitable for all ages.  Bring any mystery bark (preferably attached to wood) that you would like to have the arborist identify.  “Neophytes to naturalists are encouraged to attend,” remarked Johnson.

Johnson has decades of experience with trees.  He is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified arborist, Maine’s first ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, a Maine licensed arborist, an owner of tree care company TREEKEEPERS LLC, and long time chair of the Camden conservation Commission.  He has also conducted three inventories for a number of towns and cities throughout Maine, including Camden, identifying trees in all four seasons.

Dress warmly, no special tools are required.  “But if the glacier hasn’t receded,” Johnson added, “bring snowshoes!”

The cost for this workshop is $10 for Merryspring members, and $15 for non-members.  Pre-registration is required for this workshop, and space is limited to 12 people. To sign up, please contact Merryspring at 236-2239 or info@merryspring.org.

Merryspring is located at the end of Conway Road just off Route 1 by the Hannaford Super Market plaza.