Emily and Jack Talk about Trees
A spring walk in the woods is a renewing ritual, especially when we learn what we're looking at
When Jack Shuler meets Emily McCall at the Bioreserve, on the outskirts of the Denison University campus, he tells her that he's always thought of her ability to identify trees in winter as her "superpower."
Emily, a librarian at the Granville Public Library who leads nature walks for children, has a sense of humor that sneaks up on you.
Emily keys in a tree's identity by looking at its branches.
Emily keys in a tree's identity by looking at its branches.
She chuckles at the "superpower" comment, but then immediately looks around and mentions the sumac that surrounds them. She describes the characteristics of the trees, and tells us why we don't have to worry. This is definitely not poison sumac. In fact, we could make a kind of drink from the buds if we wanted to.
In the following audio story, follow along on this delightful walk and learn about the trees all around us.
Sumac buds filling out.
Emily McCall, always looking up.
Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, our tallest and straightest.
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