Just a reminder that there are still a few days left in August, so there’s time left to share with us that favorite tree you’ve been procrastinating on.  For those impatient types or folks that like to think ahead a bit though (we’re looking at you, Suzanne), here’s the challenge for September. This month’s theme … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: September, 2019"

I don’t know what kind of tree it is, but it is kind of a landmark here. It’s been standing for many years and I hope it stays for a while longer. I think it’s beautiful and it’s certainly going to be a good subject to photograph in autumn and winter, too. As for Day … Continue reading "A Tree for All Seasons"

The guys and I got out for a ride last Saturday and got a few pics for the August Challenge of very common trees in our area. However, I neglected to get a picture of the bike at any time, so we didn’t quite follow the rules. See that ride HERE. To make up for that, … Continue reading "Not quite following the rules"

Silvery Russian Olive Russian Olive still at the shrub phase Sweetgum Redbud @ former residence  🙁 Crimson Maple — beautiful bright red in the fall Wild Cherry Northern Red Oak — Maple on the right Oak Leaves Sumac in the foreground Unidentified Evergreen Close up of needles — a cultivar of Scotch Pine or Fir? … Continue reading "August Challenge #10"

Spruce Trees near a drainage ditch Appropriately named the “Stink Ditch” it once conducted waste water from the vegetable canneries to the North Fork  — and yes it did deserve its name At one time, the ditch ran as an open waterway half way through town to the waste water treatment plant.  Later, the section … Continue reading "August Challenge #9"

Two Horsechestnut trees Horsechestnut leaves Black Poplar Trees? Closer look at the bark Interesting how smoother bark grades into coarse bark toward the base Black Walnut Trees Silver Maple Banner year for maple seeds this spring, millions, if not billions, of them all over town They fly down in a spinning motion and have earned … Continue reading "August Challenge #8"

What’s a better pastime when you are supposed to be packing for your bicycle trip than to run around with your camera? I dislike packing so getting a picture of this wonderful tree was a welcome escape. Here’s the lowdown on the fagus sylvatica pendula, or weeping European beech, from Wikipedia: The weeping beech is … Continue reading "The Weeping European Beech"

  Catalpa Tree Looking at Dave’s post of the Indian Bean tree, the resemblance to this Catalpa is striking. And so it should be:  Probably not the exact same species but very closely related, From TreesDirect UK “Common Name: Indian Bean tree Latin Name: Catalpa bignoniodes Aurea”   Catalpa Seed Pods Magnolia Beautiful when they … Continue reading "August Challenge #7"

I’ve been loving everyone’s trees! So sorry that I haven’t been able to keep up with commenting. It’s a great topic and I do love trees, even if I don’t hug them. Here is one of my favorites, a European beech if I’m not mistaken. All the pictures are of the same tree, from different … Continue reading "Portrait of a European Beech"

Weeping Willow   Weeping Mulberry Small tree to the left is an Alberta Spruce Japanese Beetle riddled Linden to the right Some sort of Willow? Ride Photo Supplier of electricity to the rural areas Black Walnut Trees Husking them will stain you! (photo from the web) Tree in a truck revisited Deceased Spruce Photo from … Continue reading "August Challenge #6 / Ride"

Well July was quite a month, which I would rather forget. Alas my father finally lost the fight against dementia and stroke but had a long life and impacted so many people in a positive way. It’s great to see people on this site living life to the fullest, getting out on their bikes and … Continue reading "Monochrome Delayed"

Also known as the California redwood. Several grow in our yard. The Ogre snuggled up to one them this morning. From Wikipedia: Sequoia sempervirens is the sole living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood, coastal redwood and California redwood. It is an … Continue reading "Sequoia sempervirens"

White Birch Utility pole has a decided lean to it — probably a Southern Pine  — Western Red Cedars are used too (doubtful around here) as a pricier option but last longer River Birch At an entry to an A-Frame home along the North Fork at one point — prone to flooding, the house is … Continue reading "August Challenge #5"

Chinese  Siberian Elm A fast growing tree, these were planted by the thousands in the 1950’s when Dutch Elm disease ravaged the American Elms. Not a highly revered tree, but there are lots of them Relatively weak — note the scar where a limb has broken off From Wikipedia:  “Many nurserymen and foresters mistakenly refer … Continue reading "August Challenge #4"

Honey Locust Seed pods will turn dark brown and fall to the ground Ginkgo tree Said to be a living fossil — evidence of them 270 million years ago Round clusters of Ginkgo seed pods When ripe they fall to the ground and the odor (stench) from them is horrendous In the fall, a Ginkgo … Continue reading "August Challenge #3"

Hackberry view east Hackberry view west White (Silver) Poplar Not considered a good tree to plant Here is why — it is extremely invasive — dozens of sprouts surround the poplar stump as well as the living tree White Poplar showing bark and dark green upper side of leaves and silvery white underside Bald Cypress … Continue reading "August Challenge #2"

That is an ash tree which has been infected by the Emerald Ash Borer — among over 150+ trees counted all over town, and that’s just on city property The ash borer larvae live just under the bark and chew through the channels feeding the limbs of the tree causing them to die This tree … Continue reading "August Challenge"