Buds, Twigs, and Bark: How to Identify Trees and Shrubs in Winter

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join Chelsey Simmons of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for the February Berkshire Green Drinks virtual event to explore the buds, twigs, and bark of common trees seen in the New England landscape. 
 
It may be surprising, but winter is actually an excellent time to learn how to identify woody plant species. The absence of leaves allows for the opportunity to take a closer look at the characteristics that are often overlooked, like the subtle features of a twig, the arrangement of buds, and the overall form and structure of a tree. Chelsey will go over the steps to tree identification, break down twig morphology, and give helpful hints on remembering one species from another — all of which will aid in tree and shrub identification year-round.
 
The presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom at 6 PM on Wednesday, February 14. Registration is required to receive the meeting link. Register at: http://tinyurl.com/Feb2024-Berks-Green-Drinks
 
Chelsey Simmons is the programs director for Berkshire Environmental Action Team, a nonprofit based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. As part of her work for BEAT, she leads numerous naturalist walks throughout Berkshire County year-round. For the past few years, she's been working on an identification book of trees and shrubs found in western Massachusetts, meticulously drawing and painting each page by hand and sharing those pages with the public through BEAT's "Tree of the Month" series with the hope of getting people excited about trees and interested in the native species found in our region.
 
Berkshire Green Drinks (formerly Pittsfield Green Drinks) is an informal gathering that takes place once a month. A guest speaker talks for about 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM, and the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. 

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Pittsfield School Building Committee OKs PHS Statement of Interest

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High, the city's oldest school, will be the subject of the next funding request to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

During a special meeting on Monday, the School Building Needs Commission voted to move forward with a statement of interest. The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved submitting a PHS statement of interest.

Mayor Peter Marchetti said that if they don't get in the queue, they could be talking an eight-year wait rather than a four-year wait. The deadline for submission is April 17. 

"To underscore the discussion today, which would be one of many by multiple bodies, any action taken today by us is not a funding commitment, is not a project commitment. It's a concept commitment," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood said. 

Focus areas include the renovation and modernization of the heating system and the replacement or addition to obsolete buildings for educational offerings. 

The school was built in 1931 and is about 163,600 square feet. It was renovated in 1975 to add nearly 40,000 square feet, including the theater and gym, the Moynihan Field House. 

Vocational spaces have been added and upgraded over the years, and laboratories have been improved, along with periodic updates to building elements. Security systems were modernized, and a couple of years ago, the school's three inefficient, original-to-the-building boilers were replaced

"It's a 95-year-old school, and there are things that are going to come up with a 95-year-old school," Commissioner Brendan Sheran said while giving a presentation. 

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