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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Letter: When the Justice System Becomes a Tool for Harassment

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

I am 74 years old. I spent 45 years in the professional painting trade and have always been known as a dedicated, law-abiding citizen, as well as a passionate self-taught artist and photographer. Yet, I have recently discovered a terrifying flaw in our legal system: it can be easily weaponized by individuals to harass and disrupt the lives of the innocent.

Just over a year ago, what began as a simple, justified complaint about unbearable noise in my apartment — my place of retirement and peace — spiraled into a nightmare. Instead of the system protecting my right to a quiet home, it allowed the upstairs neighbors to fabricate allegations and bring false criminal charges against me.

It is a bitter irony that a senior citizen with a clean record can be railroaded through a court system based on the word of individuals who show a disregard for the law. Even more distressing is seeing a parent stand by and support perjury rather than guiding their family toward integrity.

I am sharing my story because the public needs to know that simply being in the right isn't always enough to protect you. When the court allows itself to be used as a means of retaliation, it ceases to be a system of justice and becomes a system of shame. We must do better to protect our seniors from such blatant legal abuse.

Even though I moved out of that property months ago, on our most recent court date last week, the court again extended a restraining order against me based on completely unjustified complaints by the plaintiff.

We must hold our system accountable to ensure it protects the vulnerable rather than punishing them.

Sincerely,

Luciano Guadagno
Pittsfield, Mass. 

 

 

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