To say that I am a fan of trees is quite simply, a huge understatement. I am a fan because they provide so much for our everyday lives. Even if, we never visit a forest.
They provide the most of the oxygen we breath, wood for our homes, cooling effect for streams, homes and sustenance for wildlife and so much more. This does not include the simple pleasure of walking through a forest and enjoying the aesthetics of just such a landscape.
Beyond all of those we have the more practical uses of trees that I have detailed in several videos. The latest of which is a look at Quercus alba, more commonly referred to as a White Oak tree. In this video we take a look at how to identify it, and many uses for it as well.
If you are new to tree identification here is a good look at how we approach the topic. This video contains the reference materials we have used for many years to help us discover many new insights into trees.
Here is a GREAT way to begin the process of teaching trees to children. This is one of the initiatives that we utilize in our youth environmental education courses. Although we most often use it for children, this can actually be utilized for any person interested in trees…at any age.
Last video here is a look at a brief interview with one of our NRS family, Mr. Matt Drake. Matt has an interest in plants and trees and we got together to help him get started. This video details the process of how to go about getting on the path yourself in an effort of self-education and self-discovery.
Here are two great four videos for survival uses of trees. First we will take a detailed look at a Juniperus virginiana, aka Eastern Red Cedar. We will also look at some great tinder from Liriodendron tulipifera, aka Tulip Poplar and last but not least we will look at how to use a dead tree.
I hope all of these videos (and the ones that I am sure will follow) will help you to have more fun outdoors. Keep in mind that this understanding is not for sake of memorization so you can repeat facts and wow your friends at Arbor Day parties. Our purpose in sharing this information is to help you become a more active and educated woodsperson. Understanding trees and how they work with the environment and ecology of the area you like to hunt, work, or play is time well spent. If you have any questions or concerns, then please let us know and we will do what we can to help.
As always with Nature Reliance School…come on, join in, let’s learn together!
Craig Caudill is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Nature Reliance School. He specializes in teaching survival and preparedness which includes, go-bags, land navigation, and tracking for private and public groups and government agencies. Craig is a frequent survival and preparedness contributor to TV outlets, blog sites, magazines and is a popular online outdoor educator on Carbon TV, and YouTube via the Nature Reliance and Dan’s Depot channels.
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