February 28, 2026
Come prepared…
Dr. Randall will introduce you to the characteristics of Piedmont forests. We will walk on the trails at the NCBG to observe the composition and structure. Please come prepared to spend about an hour outside — wear shoes / boot suitable for an easy hike. You may find some of the resources listed below helpful before class.
- A Winter Twig Key, can help you identify common, native, fully deciduous trees & shrubs
information
Instructor: Dr. Johnny Randall, Director of Conservation Programs (retired), NC Botanical Garden
Location: NC Botanical Garden Class will include a 1-hour walk on the NCBG nature trails
Time: 9:00-noon
PDF of presentation slides
Additional Resources
- Pollinator Kit produced by the NC Botanical Garden, and mentioned during Dr Randall’s presentation
- Caterpillars Count, mentioned during Dr Randall’s presentation
- Pidemont Gardener – Understory Trees articles, mentioned during Dr Randall’s presentation
- You might enjoy Dr. Robert Peet’s presentation on plant communities of North Carolina, presented as part of the Carolina Backyard Naturalist series (November, 2021). Entitled Natural Vegetation of North Carolina: Patterns, Processes, and Biodiversity
- Publication from the NC Forestry Service: Healthy Forests for Clean Water
- Try experimenting with a dichotomous key (a helpful tool for identifying tree species) from the NC State University Herbarium: Trees of North Carolina.
- Database of over 1000 trees from NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (includes native and non-native trees)
- We may not be able to spend much time discussing managing invasive plants in forest habitat. You might find this Forest Service publication interesting, A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests.
- Also, check out the list of NC Invasive Plants, from the NC Invasive Plant Council
Impact Projects
Before the next class you should…
- Identify your project focus and Partner Organization you want to work with
- Recruit additional team members, if appropriate
- If you have the basic information about your Impact Project update your Project status form