Linda Jordan and her son, Xavier, 12, of Woodstock examine the buds of a beech tree on Wednesday during a winter tree identification walk hosted by the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission. The commission hosts events throughout the year in the lake’s watershed to educate the public about watershed management efforts. Over twenty percent of the watershed is monitored by the commission. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Maine Master Naturalist Heather Hardy, far right, leads a group Wednesday on a winter tree identification walk on Salmon Point, along the shore of Lake Auburn. Hardy says she prefers identifying trees in the winter as there are fewer variables than when the trees are covered in foliage. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Diane Israelson, left, examines the bark of a Red Pine on Wednesday while on a winter tree identification walk on Salmon Point in Auburn. Participants were directed to look at the scales and color of the bark and encouraged to smell and even taste the bark chips for clues to the identity of the trees. The walk was hosted by the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission as part of a series of educational events held in the lake’s watershed. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal