Barking up the right tree

While in the woods the kids and I try to identify trees by their bark, especially in the winter when there are no leaves. We feel each one and make observations. Here are a few we saw yesterday.

Smooth, silvery beech.

Reddish-brown, flaky pine.

Rough, furrowed ash.

I love trees in all their variety and beauty, and it is fun to teach the children and talk about the amazing diversity God made on his good earth.