Course Description
This course aims to familiarize students with the secret lives of trees. We begin by learning to identify 100+ woody plants of the Piedmont. To do this, we will grapple with dichotomous keys and plant systematics, helping us to identify plants anywhere in the world. We also address topics like the chemical communication of trees, the relationships among wildlife and trees, and the value of trees. This year, all of this course will be outside.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify woody plant species in the Southern Piedmont using habitat and plant morphology;
- Use dichotomous keys and plant systematics to identify plants in other regions of the world;
- Explain various aspects of tree ecology (e.g., chemical communication, relationships with wildlife, and responses to herbivory); and
- Consider the value of trees from various perspectives (e.g., forester, ecologist).
About the Instructor
Dr. Nicolette L. Cagle is a Senior Lecturer at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment and an expert in dendrology, tree identification, and forest ecology. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from Duke University and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Natural Resources from the University of Illinois. Her early passion for trees and woody plants was evident when she was part of the Illinois State Championship-winning horticulture team in the late 1990s, specializing in dendrology and horticultural plant identification. She later deepened this foundation through an internship at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where she worked on restoration projects and native plant studies.
Dr. Cagle has a strong background in plant biology, physiology, and non-native species, which informs both her research and teaching. She has studied tree identification across diverse ecosystems, from the hardwood forests of the eastern U.S. to the conifer-dominated landscapes of the West, including earning a Master Naturalist certification from the Montana Museum of Natural History in 2022. She has combined this expertise with innovative teaching strategies, serving as a Duke University Active Learning Fellow in 2017, where she developed new, research-based Dendrology activities. Her work was so well received that she was later invited to present these activities as models for future fellows.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Cagle applies her dendrological knowledge to public education and community engagement. She has designed interpretive signage on local trees for various organizations, including Urban Community Agronomics (UCAN) in Durham, enhancing public appreciation and understanding of urban and natural forested landscapes. Her commitment to hands-on, field-based learning ensures that students gain both technical proficiency in tree identification and a deeper appreciation of the ecological and cultural significance of trees.