Leafless Tree ID Hike - Holmes Educational State Forest

Do you enjoy spending time in the woods during the winter but find yourself stumped as to what trees you are seeing when the leaves are gone? If so, join Master Gardeners Carrie Blair and Bob Mertens for a hike at Holmes Educational State Forest, where they will guide you in identifying tree species through bark textures, branch patterns, buds, leaf scars, and seeds.

Meet Your Instructors

This program offers a rare opportunity to learn from two highly distinguished figures in the botanical community:

Carrie Blair: A seasoned educator who has led hundreds of plant identification hikes, Carrie brings a wealth of leadership and field experience. She is a Master Gardener (NC and VA) and a VA Master Naturalist. Her extensive resume includes serving as Past President of the Piedmont Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society and as a docent for the State Arboretum of Virginia. She is an active member of several conservation organizations, including the NC Native Plant Society, MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina, and the Pisgah Conservancy. Carrie will provide helpful handouts and offer a selection of tree identification books for purchase.

Bob Mertens: Bringing over 50 years of horticultural passion, Bob is a retired professional from the UF/IFAS Extension in Sarasota County, Florida. His deep expertise covers environmental horticulture, palms, and landscape maintenance. Since relocating to Brevard in 2017, Bob has become an integral part of the local gardening community, serving as a Transylvania County Extension Master Gardener alongside his wife, Leslie.

Hike Details & Logistics

Skill Level: This is a non-strenuous hike appropriate for everyone, from beginners to seasoned nature lovers.

Timing: Registered participants meet at the Hap Simpson parking lot by 1:00 p.m. sharp

Capacity: Participation is limited to 16 people (ages 16 and up) to ensure an intimate learning environment. Due to the group size and the focus on nature study, dogs are not allowed.

Guidelines: Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Suggestions: You may want to bring a hand lens, binoculars, and a tree ID field guide if you have them.

In the event of inclement weather, registrants will be notified by 11:00 am that day if the program will be held at the Cooperative Extension Center Conference Room, 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, or canceled. For these indoor classes, bring books, oculars, and twigs for identification.

Additional hikes will be held as listed below. You must register for each event individually. To register for the other hikes, . All hikes may not have an open registration yet, so check back as registrations will open shortly.

The series schedule is:

February 4th, Classroom Introduction to Leafless Tree ID, Community Services Building Conference Room, 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard

February 11th, Hap Simpson Park, 666 Greenville Highway, Brevard

February 18th, Sycamore Flats Picnic Area, 1115 Pisgah Highwary, Pisgah Forest

February 25th, Cradle of Forestry 11250 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest

March 4th, Deerwoode Reserve 395 Riversedge Road, Brevard

March 11th, Allison-Deaver House 2753 Asheville Highway, Pisgah Forest

March 18th, Holmes Educational State Forest, 1299 Crab Creek Road, Hendersonville

March 25th, EMG Nancy Blue's garden, 2279 Cherrywood Lane, Brevard

April 1st, Silvermont Mansion and Park 374 E Main St, Brevard

April 8th, TBD

April 15th, Pisgah Inn mile 408 Blue Ridge Parkway, Canton

April 22nd, Brevard College, Kings Creek Athletic Fields, Kings Creek Loop, Brevard

In case of inclement weather, registrants will be notified by 11:00 that day if the program will be held at the Cooperative Extension Center Conference Room, 106 E. Morgan St., Brevard, or canceled. For these indoor classes, bring books, oculars, and twigs for identification.

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Host or Publisher N.C. Cooperative Extension, Transylvania County