As we trek into Maine’s woodlands our focus is often on wildlife — birds, mammals and maybe even reptiles and amphibians under rotting logs. In spring we are also drawn to wildflowers. Yet none of these would exist without the ‘framework’ of trees — the essence of forests and life on earth. In this workshop we will explore how trees evolved over time and how they developed physiological and bio-mechanical adaptations to fill so many ecological and climatic niches. When wildlife sightings may be scarce, knowing how to ‘read’ the trees can greatly increase our enjoyment in the woods, or even our backyards. Richard Jagels, Professor of Forest Biology at UMaine, Orono, leads this workshop. Join him from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in the classroom as he provides basis for an afternoon walk on a local woodland trail. Topics to be covered include; Evolution, Physiology, Bio-mechanics, Seasonality, Diseases and Air Pollution, and Global Climate Change. Break for lunch at Schooner Commons from 12 Noon – 1 p.m. Then reconvene at 1 p.m. for an outdoor walk, examining trees discussed in the morning session. Participants should dress for the weather and wear appropriate walking shoes.