Winter Tree Identification workshop

Shake off the winter blues and immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of the season with our winter tree identification workshop at Heal Somerset, your local rewilding site.

While winter can be brisk, it's a wonderful time to connect with nature in its more subtle, revealing state. With the trees bare of leaves, it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on winter tree identification, learning how to recognise native species such as alder, English oak, goat willow, and hazel by their silhouettes, bark, buds, and remaining seed structures.

Guided by expert wildlife guide Nick Patel, you’ll explore how to distinguish key tree species in their dormant phase and understand the roles they play in supporting winter wildlife. Along the way, you’ll also spot grassland vegetation in winter and have a chance to see or hear seasonal birds like siskins, chiffchaffs, treecreepers, long-tailed tits, and perhaps even a kestrel overhead.

Beginning at the Heal Somerset farmhouse, Nick will talk you through local tree species and identification techniques. You’ll then set off on a gentle walk through evolving rewilded habitats. You’ll also learn how the rewilding process at Heal Somerset is creating space for more resilient ecosystems and richer winter biodiversity.

After the tour, you can warm up with Nick and your group in our farmhouse. We’ll provide light refreshments and you can share your sightings with the group, and continue the conversation with Nick about trees, birds, and the hidden life of winter.

What you might see: alder, English oak, goat willow, hazel

About your workshop leader, Nick Patel:

Nick is a tour guide, conservationist, naturalist and birder and is passionate about helping to protect, create and maintain British wildlife. A lifelong birdwatcher, and former nature reserve warden, Nick has devoted his life to shouting about how amazing our native biodiversity is and just why we should care for it.

Nick says “I am really pleased and super excited to be working with Heal and looking forward to showcasing some of the amazing work they are doing at the Heal Somerset site. It’s truly inspiring and you can already feel an abundance of nature, which I am excited to share with people though my tours”.

LOCATION

Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.

TIMINGS

10am: Meet at Heal Somerset farmhouse for welcome and refreshments

12pm: Walk around site to put learning into practice

1pm: Workshop ends

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

We recommend you bring binoculars if you have them for this workshop although there will be a couple of spare pairs available on the day.

It is very likely to be wet underfoot at this time of year so we recommend that you wear wellingtons or sturdy waterproof shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat and dress warmly.

[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation in our tours by people who may be unfamiliar with being out in nature and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]

ACCESSIBILITY

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.

If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.

If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this tour and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Children over 14 are welcome at the workshop as are babies in slings (the site is not pushchair-friendly in a lot of areas). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Please note, up to 50% of your ticket price will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.

Local accommodation

We can't offer accommodation yet at Heal Somerset. There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton.

Transport

The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all tour participants.