Forestry Commission tree identification experts Byron Rominger, FIA Coordinator, along with Rural Forestry Coordinator Chisolm Beckham hosted the agency’s annual tree identification course July 15 and 16.
Students braved the scorching, humid conditions for what were, up to that point, the two hottest days of the year. More than a dozen participants, including FIA Foresters, summer interns, other SCFC employees and a project forester from the Center for Heirs’ Preservation in Charleston, followed Chisolm and Byron around Harbison State Forest on day one. At each location, the instructors covered the basics of tree identification, pointing out key features of a wide range of native species while quizzing the participants along the way.
The second day included field identification at Shealy’s Pond Heritage Preserve and Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve in Lexington County, plus more locations back at Harbison State Forest.
