The Beauty and Function of Tree Bark in Winter

Winter—when leaves have fallen and flowers are few—is the perfect season to discover the hidden beauty of trees. With their canopies stripped bare, attention naturally shifts to the remarkable textures, colors, and patterns of bark, revealing details often overlooked during the growing season.

But bark is far more than a beautiful surface. On this guided walk, we'll explore the extraordinary ways bark protects and sustains a tree—from shielding it against insects, disease, fire, and extreme weather to transporting nutrients, storing energy, and supporting healthy growth. Along the way, you'll learn how to recognize distinctive bark characteristics of a variety of species and gain a deeper appreciation for this remarkable living tissue.

Join us for a fresh perspective on the winter garden and discover that some of nature's most fascinating stories are written in bark.

This walk will be led by Alan Porter, whose lifelong passion for plants has shaped decades of learning and exploration. Following his early retirement, Alan joined the staff of the Botanical Garden at UC Berkeley, where he further developed his expertise in horticulture and botanical education. A longtime volunteer at Sonoma Botanical Garden, he has led countless tours and created a series of engaging specialty walks that invite visitors to discover the Garden's collections from fresh and fascinating perspectives.