Maybe you got to attend naturalist Mark Archibald’s Winter Tree ID program at the Mount Rogers Winter Naturalist Rally last month, but if you didn’t, this post is for you! Just because leaves aren’t on trees right now doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t know which trees you’re looking at. Bark, buds, and branching are key to identifying deciduous trees in winter and early spring—keep reading for an overview of winter tree ID, then take your skills to the trail and see what you can find!