Name that tree!

How many times have you been out walking, looking at birds and bees and flowers and trees when you stopped to wonder, What kind of tree is that?

This curious student, shown in a Tree Pittsburgh photo, is fingering what looks like a maple leaf.

Oaks, maples, ginkos (stinkos) and sycamores are pretty commonly identified, but do you know a beech, a pear, a mulberry?

OK, so you do. Well... how about a Kentucky Coffee Tree? Poplar? Ash? Alder? Black gum?

Yeah, I need to bone up, too.

Tree Pittsburgh knows a lot of us are eager to be able to recognize tree types and has added tree identification walks to its programming for this year. The first one is tomorrow, May 5th from 9a to 11a in Allegheny Cemetery. The notice may be too short since you have to register.

But if you can make it, the group will meet at 9a at the Butler Street entrance to the cemetery.  Bring your own water and wear sturdy shoes. Rain or shine except for extreme weather.

You have three other chances, too. Here’s the line-up of all of TP's class offerings.

* Bees and Trees: Tues. May 15th, 6:30p-8:30p at the Stephen Foster Community Center, Lawrenceville
* Tree Identification Walk: June 14th, 6p-8p in Mellon Park, Shadyside
* Tree Identification Walk, Oct. 6, 9a-11a in Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville
* Tree Identification Walk, Dec. 8, 9a-11a in Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville
* A Pruning Primer for Homeowners, Nov. 17, River Walk Corporate Center, South Side

The tree identification walks cost $5 for Tree Tenders, $10 for others and include a copy of the seasonally-appropriate Tree Finder by May Theilgaard Watts.  These walks are for people 16 and over unless accompanied by an adult. Bring younger children at your discretion.

In the meantime, you can bone up at this North Carolina State University site.