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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Wahconah Grandstand Demo Beginning Monday

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Wahconah Park grandstand will begin to come down next week. 

During the Parks Commission meeting on Tuesday, it was reported that demolition will begin on April 27.  The over-quarter-century-old structure was deemed unsafe in 2022, and planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table.

"All permits are in place for the grandstand demo. The demo work will actively take place beginning April 27," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath wrote in a memo to the commission. 

Conceptual plans have been delivered, he reported, and cost estimates have come back favorably. 

"That I know has been a challenge with the cost estimates," Chair Simon Muil commented after reading the memo. "So that's great."

Earlier this month, Pittsfield held a "Farewell to the Grandstand" event to celebrate its past and look forward to the future. 

It included a round of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," hot dogs, and stories about the ballpark.  Artifacts from the ballpark were displayed in cases outside of the grandstand for the event, along with banners depicting the park's history and a roped-off area for community members to see the structure one last time. 

The Parks Commission also OKed several warm-weather events for kids and adults in the coming months. 

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