Trees are one of the things I observe a lot in the spring, perhaps more than all the flowers we're seeing bloom. Trees are like a backdrop for everything here, and I fear we take them for granted too often, especially in built-up areas. Let me share just a few of the things I notice every spring.
I think my love of trees started when I had a tree fort as a youngster. Sitting 10 feet up among the leaves was an experience I'll never forget. I've often thought about it since and this is the ideal sort of tree I'd like for a tree fort - big low down branches that can support the weight.
Of course the big thing I look for in spring is the leaves emerging. I've often used leaves to teach students how to identify trees but it continues to amaze me how the genetic code for leaf shape is bred into every species. These are Silver Maple leaves.
Some tree leaves come in a different colour; this is a Honey Locust tree.
But one of the big things I've noticed since moving here is that different leaves develop at different times. These are the trees behind our house. All the leaves that appear to be fully open are maples, but all the others are White Ash which are much slower to develop.
Similarly, just around the corner is an elm tree, with leaves fully out, but just across the street is another White Ash, leaves just getting started. Sorry about all the wires!
The evergreens are quite different, the new growth coming in on the end of the twigs of this spruce looking a very bright shade of green.
And a few trees actually have easily visible flowers, like these Horse Chestnut 'candles'. Perhaps the most intricate tree flours I know. All the above photos were taken within two blocks of home.
I saw a chestnut tree last week and couldn’t think of its name. Thank you for the reminder, FG.
ReplyDeleteLike you we have a number of White Ash in the surrounding area.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the Wires. Anyone following that lives anywhere near a town or city have a hard time taking pictures without them.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time
It must make it more interesting for you. Once we get past maple and oak leaves, I am at a loss.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the ash trees while you have them, down here the emerald ash borer has killed at least 99% of the ash trees. The insect is in Ontario, but I don't know how far west and north is has or will spread.
ReplyDeleteThanks for tree lesson. :)
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed, although I shouldn't be, at all the shades of green in nature. A quilter can find colours everywhere, but nature blends them together in the most wonderful ways.We had a huge Horse Chestnut tree at our previous home, sadly the roots spread into the sewerage line and it had to be removed.Your greens are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA fine meditation on trees and one that makes me wish I'd had a tree-house as a child. My mother, who was years ahead of her time when it came to Health and Safety legislation, probably banned such things. Instead I climbed the apple trees and tried to hide my cuts and grazes when I got home.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could live happily without trees. A fellow I knew many years ago spent a couple of years in the far north, and what he missed most were trees.
ReplyDeleteI love trees, too. They are always so wonderful to admire and examine. I know a few different ones, but on my daily walks, they always cause me to smile as I watch them change from day to day. Thanks for the great pictures! :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely trees all of them. This year my spruce has been sending off yellow pollen and little sticky pods in great quantities, the first time I've seen it in years. I suspect it is part of the life cycle of the trees - two years ago it was dropping massive numbers of pine cones. There is always something interesting about trees.
ReplyDeleteThe spring green of trees is one of the best colors ever!
ReplyDeleteThank you for celebrating trees! They are underappreciated!
ReplyDeleteI understand your tree fort analogy very well having done the same thing with a couple other fellas. When we traveled to the southwest for the winters I always looked forward to coming home again to the land of the trees. I wished I knew my trees as well as you do.
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