There's more to a fall woodland walk than beautiful leaves. Every tree has a story to tell, and few people are better equipped to help uncover those stories than a dendrochronologist.
This week, we gathered at John O. Whitaker Woods Nature Preserve for a fall foliage hike led by Dr. Jim Speer, a dendrochronologist at Indiana State University who studies tree rings to better understand the history of trees and the environments in which they grow.
The group included students from Terre Haute North and Indiana State University, OLC board members, families, and other community members who came to enjoy a morning in the woods.
Getting to Know the Woods
As the group explored the preserve, Jim drew on his expertise to introduce participants to the variety of trees and plants growing along the trail.
Among the species discussed were American beech, several varieties of oak, sugar maple, pawpaw, spicebush, and several species of hickory. With four or five hickory species found at Whitaker Woods alone, participants had plenty of opportunities to compare their characteristics.
The hike offered an opportunity to look beyond the changing colors of autumn and learn more about the trees themselves, guided by someone whose professional work is devoted to understanding their histories.
Before the Hike Could Begin
While participants enjoyed the trail on the day of the event, preparing it for their visit required considerable work.
OLC board members Denise Marie Sobieski and Bill Mitchell made multiple trips to Whitaker Woods ahead of the hike to clear fallen trees and other obstructions from the trail. Their work included removing a large hickory that had fallen across the path.
It's the kind of work visitors might never notice when a trail is clear and ready to explore, but maintaining trails takes ongoing attention. Thanks to volunteers like Denise and Bill, visitors can continue enjoying Whitaker Woods throughout the changing seasons.
Thank you to Dr. Jim Speer for leading the hike and sharing his expertise, to everyone who joined us for a morning among the trees, and especially to Denise and Bill for the time and effort they put into preparing the preserve.
Whether it's the changing colors of autumn or the first flowers of spring, there's always another reason to visit Whitaker Woods.