The streets and parks of Greater Victoria are adorned with many beautiful trees. While Vancouver Island has only 34 native species of trees, in the city we can encounter over 500. Trees in horticultural plantings could be from anywhere in the world. The tree you are admiring could be a Blue Atlas Cedar from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, a Deodara Cedar from the western Himalayas, or even a Dawn Redwood, a tree only known from fossils until its rediscovery in China in 1944. The vast diversity of possible origins greatly complicates the task of identifying trees in an urban environment.
We start by learning to recognize conifer genera like pines, firs, spruces, cedars, junipers and cypresses and then move on to separating individual species. In classroom sessions we will follow identification keys and see examples of the characteristics (both macro and micro) that help to define each genera and species. On field trips to local parks, we will look for the important features and practice the identification of trees.
A full course refund will only be provided if you withdraw from the course prior to the course start date. A refund, less a $15 administrative fee, will be issued if you withdraw within 6 calendar days after the official course start date. Depending on your method of payment, a refund will be either mailed to you or credited to your credit card.
Continuing Studies statement on use of educational technology
This course will require the use of Zoom and may use other education technology such as internet-based applications, cloud services, or social media. In order to complete this course you will be required to either consent to the disclosure of your personal information outside of Canada to enable use of these technologies, or work with the Division of Continuing Studies to explore other privacy protective options (such as using an alias or nickname).