Leafless Tree Identification - An Introduction Class

Do you enjoy winter woods but find yourself stumped when the leaves are gone? Join Master Gardeners Carrie Blair and Bob Mertens for an immersive exploration of the Transylvania County area’s forests and greenspaces. Following this Introductory class on February 4th, a series of eleven field hikes will be offered to teach you how to read the "hidden" language of trees—identifying 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.

Register on this page for the Introductory Class on February 4th.

If you are interested in the hikes, please see the details below. Registration is not available for all hikes at this time, but will be added very soon, so be sure to check back. To visit the page to register for the hikes,

Hike Details & Logistics

Skill Level: These are non-strenuous hikes appropriate for everyone, from beginners to seasoned nature lovers.

Timing: Registered participants meet at the designated parking lot by 1:00 p.m. sharp on hike days.

Capacity: Participation is limited to 16 people (ages 16 and up) to ensure an intimate learning environment.

Guidelines: Please dress warmly for the winter weather. Due to the group size and the focus on nature study, dogs are not allowed.

You must register for each event individually. To register for the hikes,

The 2026 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

For the hikes, it is suggested that you bring a hand lens, binoculars, and a tree ID field guide if you have them.

Be sure to dress for the weather.

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.

Also check out other Workshops in Brevard, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Brevard.