Oaks, individually and collectively, form a major part of New England’s forests and have great ecological significance for wildlife and the healthy functioning of forest ecosystems. Led by longtime instructor Ted Elliman, this class will teach identification of each of the twelve native oaks and several of the introduced ones, using features such as leaves, bark, acorns, and growth forms. Learn about regional distribution patterns, typical habitats, and biological importance in the region’s forest communities and discuss oak hybridization; the importance of oaks to native mammals, birds, and insects; pests that are impacting oak populations; and oaks’ adaptive responses to our warming climate.