Star Magnolia Tree

Another beauty here at the farm is a young star magnolia tree, Magnolia stellata. I’ve never seen one before now, but I am already in love! It smells so sweet and heavenly, and I love its surprise – I thought this was some strange sort of pussy willow when the buds first began to swell. Today it is in full bloom, and most certainly a magnolia!

I first fell in love with magnolias as KAD’s birth tree is the saucer magnolia. Artist Gil Rondan has recently posted a beautiful image of a saucer magnolia in full bloom at his photography blog Native Eye. With all the warm weather around here, there are many more tree blossoms in our near future!

Mystery, Solved!

We have a winner! Thanks to LilyB, who recommended the Wildflowers and Trees of Western Pennsylvania website, we have determined the common identity of the yellow flowers!

Our answer comes from the gracious Bob Zuberbuhler, author of Wildflowers and Trees of Western Pennsylvania. Here is what Bob had to say:

“I think the flowers you photographed are Lesser celandines, Ranunculus ficaria, in the buttercup family. I've never found one in Western PA, but understand they are more common in the eastern part of the state. The 9 petals are consistent with a buttercup, and the leaves look a lot like those of the Lesser celandine.

Please don't hesitate to send on any further unknowns; I enjoy trying to figure them out.

Hope you enjoy PA.

Bob”

Thanks for all your help Bob, and thank you to all the Arborealists who offered suggestions, thoughts, and other ideas! I appreciate everyone’s input with our ongoing discoveries.

Another mystery under the trees

While we continue to ponder the common identity of the mysterious yellow-flowered plant, I have another one to share with you!

Also happily growing under the trees is this little plant. What’s really amazing about this one, is that I could see these green leaves when we arrived here back in December; furthermore, apart from a little die-back during the snow, these herbaceous leaves have persisted throughout the winter.

Apart from the grasses and the little dandelion whorls that wait out the winter, this is one of the ONLY green leafy plants that I saw during the cold season. Now that spring is warming the earth, they are exploding across the area. I can’t wait to see what their flowers look like! (Surely the must have flowers.)

I wonder, is there an identification guide out there for “shrubby little weed-like creatures”? Personally, I love all weeds… dandelions are among my favorite flowers. I use “weeds” as a term of endearment for many wonderful and resilient plants! There is no such thing as weed killer in my garden shed.

New information has come to light

Today’s new moon and solar eclipse have already turned things on their head around my home. Expect the unexpected, for along with these two events, today also sends Pluto retrograde until September. For those interested in astrology, this means it’s time for reflection and introspection

When we look back on the past with fresh information from the present, things often look different. While chatting with my landlady the other day, I learned that many of the large, beautiful trees around the farm with which I have been smitten are Black Walnuts. Those nuts I’ve been wondering about are walnuts covered in a spongy husk.

According to my landlady, these Black Walnuts are as toxic as they are beautiful. She has learned that when a Black Walnut springs up, other trees around it have a tendency to die. This phenomenon is referred to as allelopathy, and is easily visible around the farm: most of these trees stand in a stately and solitary fashion.

While Black Walnut might not play well with other plants, it does offer a food source for squirrels, deer, and other creatures, and a habitat for many birds and rodents (including the screech owl). It’s a gorgeous tree, one of my first new loves of Pennsylvania. Below is a list looking back over the last couple months at some of the pictures I’ve shared with you that include the Black Walnut.

Thursday, January 19, 2006 Exploring [first image foreground]

Thursday, January 26, 2006 New Friends

Tuesday, February 28, 2006 Chasing the Sunrise [second image]

Monday, March 06, 2006 Perspective

Tuesday, March 07, 2006 Half full [second image]

Friday, March 24, 2006 Curves and Curls [fifth image]

In addition to all this new information, I have something else which will aid in our exploration of the Pennsylvania flora: The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region; Elbert L. Little.

Now you want to hear the REALLY cool part?

This book was a gift from one of PAL’s colleagues, who happened to come upon it while cleaning out a garage with his father. He remembered that PAL and I happen to like all that crazy outdoors stuff.

But the SUPER cool part has to do with this blog entry:

Saturday, March 18, 2006 Trees I have loved.

I came upon this blog entry quite by accident just a few days ago. I was using the blogger search tool to see how my tree blog ranks in some simple searches, and this entry came up. I don’t know anything else about her blog besides this entry, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you choose to read it you will find that roughly midway through her post, she mentions her “Field Guide to North American Trees (Eastern Region)…. the brown tree guide is copyrighted 1985.” When I read this, I thought to myself, “Wow, I wish I had that book!! That would be perfect for Arboreality!”

Lo, and behold: the brown tree guide.

Armed with this new information, we shall go forth and give names to trees, common and scientific alike. As to the giver of this treasure: “these buds are for you!”...

PS – For those who recognize this tree from my Happy Vernal Equinox post, as it turns out it is NOT a pussy willow – it’s a magnolia, and those blossoms smell deliciously delicate and sweet.

A touch of sunshine, and voilà!

Yesterday's incredibly bright sun did indeed coax open the flowers, along with more green leaves. As you can see, it was one seriously sunny day - the tree shadow is what really allows us to enjoy the flowers in this image. So, any new thoughts on what this might be? I'll keep searching!

Here's a thought: perhaps this is another type of ranunculus? I just learned that one of my favorite flowers, the columbine, is also a part of the ranunculus family... who'd have guessed?

I spent yesterday afternoon with the landlady and learned many new things about the surrounding trees and plants on the farm, as well as their history. There is so much to share!

Just around the tree trunk

Located just outside my cottage are several large trees. They line the lawn which extends down into the lower fields of the farm. These trees are my constant companions, and a wonderful source of inspiration.

If you peek around the trunks of these trees, and step over the daffodils into the brush, you will find an enormous patch of the unidentified yellow flowers and their lily pad shaped leaves.

I think that these flowers need a bright sunny day to open them up all the way. Today brings a warm morning, and there is nary a cloud in the sky!

More fun with fungi

While crawling through the trees today, I found this beautiful fungus family growing on a tree branch. I just had to share its delicate frills with you! Isn't it amazing the way it has wraped itself in layers around the branch?

Coming up this week: more flowers, fresh buds, and trees of course.

Tree Stumps

I have always adored tree stumps. Nursing stumps are certainly a source of beauty and wonder with all the new life bursting from the decaying matter. Stumps are also great fun when they’re all lined up… sort of like rock-hopping.

Whenever I see a tree stump, I immediately try to envision how things must have looked when the tree still stood. Huge stumps are even more compelling. Seeing just a small echo of what was once a towering monster is always great food for the imagination (as well as the local fungi).

It’s also fun to count rings on tree stumps, provided they are still visible. Stumps are a wonderful source of tactile candy. As you run your fingers along what used to be the heart of a tree, you can almost feel the fruit of the earth still pulsing up through the silent fibers.

Curves and Curls

Another interesting feature of the local flora is the prevalence of curves and curls. All around the area I continue find corkscrew branch tips, curvaceous trunks, and curling creepers.

Some of these plants clearly use the strength of other plants, such as the self-supporting trees, to provide them with structure and footholds for growth. Other plants just seem to enjoy twisting!

I’m interested to learn whether some of these creeping plants are in fact stranglers, or if they live symbiotically with their supportive friends. For those who simply like to curl, I have to wonder: what inspires them to grow this way?

Sunset under the trees

I’ve been waiting all week for this tiny patch of mystery to blossom! Does anyone know the name of this little plant? She grows quietly under the trees next to my cottage, and looks wonderful in the setting sunlight.

Scilla and Salix

Our little blue flowers are known as scilla. These beauties apparently come in a range of colors including dark and light blues, and even some whites. They are amazingly brilliant in their little swaths across the lawn, and appear to love the shade of the trees. Like LilyB, I cannot imagine wanting to mow until they finish their blooming! [I know the image could be nicer, but this is all I have to share for now].

As to the second image, I had to share another from the weeping willow… I’ve always wanted to have a weeping willow in my garden, and this is the closest I've ever lived to one. I was having loads of fun playing with its tresses while taking pictures, and I was amazed when I took the images back to my computer to find the brilliant sunshine silver laced along each delicate branch!

At the feet of the trees

I found these gorgeous little blue flowers sprouting near the place where I first spotted the winter aconite weeks ago. It’s a wonderful, cheery little flower growing beneath many trees who have yet to push forth their leaves. Notice how happy they are emerging from the blanket of the trees' leaves from seasons past.

While chatting with my landlady yesterday, I learned that these little flowers were originally brought direct from England by her mother many years ago. She even offered to have me come and collect some to plant around my cottage! Guess whom I have a date with this morning? I'll be sure to ask her to remind me of their name, so I can share it with you!

Happy Vernal Equinox!

Greetings everyone, and a happy spring to you! This morning I have snow flurries falling outside my window... but with the daffodils continuing to bloom, I know that springtime has truly arrived. Have a wonderful day!

PS - For all my southern-hemisphere Arborealists, a Happy Autumnal Equinox to you! Autumn is my favorite season, and I hope that you all enjoy yours! Whatever the season, today marks a great celestial turning point.

Fungus for Ducklover

As requested, here is one of the first shelf fungus I could find around the farm to share with you, along with some other pretty orange fungus. These are dedicated to Ducklover.

I wish I could tell you more about who they are or what they like, but all I can tell you for certain is that like many other beautiful fungus, these are happily growing on a pile of old, rotting firewood in the brush.

I’ll be certain to keep my eyes open for more fungus as I explore the area. At home in Seabeck, Washington, Spring and Autumn were some of the greatest seasons to find new fungus of all colors. Perhaps the same is true around Pennsylvania?

Next up: more springtime wonders! C'est magnifique!

The road to recovery is paved with springtime discovery

Greetings Arborealists! I hope that you all had a wonderful week and a fabulous full moon. As for me, I woke up in the dark of Monday morning with a terrible flu! After being unable to do almost anything all week long, I am finally starting to feel semi-normal. And guess what happened while I was sick in bed?

This…

and THIS…

and this…

and these...

and of course, these too...

Yes, while I was sick in bed, Springtime decided to make herself known. And so, with three more days until the Vernal Equinox, here in eastern Pennsylvania we at last see the beginnings of the coming season in the most beautiful of places.

What wonders hide beneath the earth, just waiting for the sun and rain to coax them forth again!

Trees and floral mysteries

This week brought a lovely warm spell to my home, coaxing out the first fresh green leaves on a young tree in the backyard. The bud burst has begun!

While happily trying my best to capture some images of these first leaves for you, I stumbled upon another early springtime wonder: the croci. But they aren’t at all where I expected them to be! I found the purple crocus popping up out of some leaf litter just beside the driveway. The surrounding greenery is some type of ground cover, the name of which I do not yet know.

In the mean time, I have huge patches of swelling flower bulbs just aching to open – and I have no idea what they are. My best guess is that they might be some type of small daffodil. It would be grand if they were hyacinth, but the greens look too short. Then again, at this point, I’d believe ANYTHING is possible! Stay tuned!

Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2006

One of the great things about moving some place totally different is the thrill of seeing new places, meeting new people, and having new experiences. Moving from Washington to Pennsylvania has been a great adventure, and it’s really only just begun.

I started looking into Pennsylvania’s government and representatives as soon as we decided on moving. Admittedly, I still write to Washington State Senators Murray and Cantwell whenever I write to Pennsylvania Senators Specter and Santorum. I guess I still feel like I have their ear, being from Washington originally.

Here is something from Cantwell’s work that I hope you will all take a moment to read, and if interested, support:

Senator Maria Cantwell’s Websites:
http://www.cantwell.com/

http://cantwell.senate.gov/

From the office of Senator Maria Cantwell:

For the past six years the Bush administration has waged a war on the environment. Cloaked in Orwellian names such as "Clear Skies" and "Healthy Forests," George Bush has slowly undone thirty years of environmental protections. Just last winter the Senate Republicans launched a renewed attack on the Arctic national Wildlife Refuge.

Now George Bush has set his sights on our last, untouched forests. The Bush Administration has reversed existing protections and is opening over 58 million acres of untouched forests across the United States to development. Only by working together can we stop this destruction of this national treasure.

Last Thursday, I introduced the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2006. This bill would block the Bush administration's attempts to open these 58 million acres of pristine, roadless forest by permanently protecting them against logging and road building. I need you to join me in this fight. This week, I will be asking my fellow senators to cosponsor the legislation and today I ask you to join me as a citizen co-sponsor of the Roadless Area Conservation Act.

Add your name as a citizen co-sponsor to this important legislation now.

Sincerely,

Maria Cantwell

There are many things you can do to help support this legislation. Here are just a few ideas:

- Sign online at Maria Cantwell's website to be a citizen co-sponsor of this legistlation

- Write to your congress women and men

- Share this information with others

- Visit our National Parks, and see for yourself just how beautiful, wondrous, and important America's wild places are for everyone.

Pictures from the hedge

Almost every day, the dogs and I walk through the hedges below the fields and see birds, rabbits, and deer fleeing frantically in all directions. These hedges are composed primarily of young sapling trees and thorny rose bushes. The trees look like hawthorns, but I don’t actually know what they are… I’ll let you know as soon I learn!

When I lock the dogs in the house and visit the hedge by myself, it is almost like a different world entirely. Solo adventures have brought me as close to deer as I’ve ever been – just a couple meters – and they reveal the bustling activity of the hedge in ways that no tag-jingling, rabbit-chasing dogs ever could allow.

Walking these hedges alone, I hear whispers and twitters. The birds and bunnies follow me as I walk along the paths, while the deer march just ahead of me, and just beyond sight. These hedges are tunneled both by the landlords, and by the animals. You can tell which tunnels belong exclusively to the smaller animals, because you have to crawl to get through them.

Yesterday’s walk started with a bunny at the head of my trail. The bunny reminded me to take some pictures of the stripped trunk bases you see in the second image. I noticed this “bark stripping phenomenon” when we first arrived. This can be seen on virtually every young tree in the hedge. I believe the bunnies are responsible, but whether they are eating the bark or using it for some other important bunny business, I do not know.

I often see the deer bounding deep into the hedge in this direction. Yesterday, my adventure stopped just at the little clearing where you see these large trees… it was half-past feeding time for the dogs, and I didn’t want to return to find that they had decided to “teach me a lesson” by taking out their frustrations on my couple new houseplants.

On my way back out of the hedge, I found what I assume to be a rabbit hole. I decided only to take pictures, rather than stick my hand in the hole to find out who was at home!

Half full

The moon is just past half full, and the vernal equinox is a mere two weeks away! I can't wait to learn what these trees look like with their leaves on.

Tomorrow, I'll have some fun things to share with you from my explorations this evening among the hedges.

Perspective

One thing I find that makes my tree photography more fun and interesting, is to offer you images of trees from unique perspectives. When I explore trees, I crouch down to see their roots, tip-toe to peek at their branches, and lean in to examine their bark. In my photography, I attempt to share my exploration of trees with you through my eyes (and my camera's, of course).

Yesterday I realized that one perspective I have not been able to enjoy or share is what it looks like to be up in a tree looking down. It’s something that few of us ever see ourselves, unless we are truly avid arborealists in the more general sense of the word. I’m not a professional tree climber, although I know some folks who are. I promise that whenever I finally get my chance to scale the trees, I’ll be certain to get some images to share with you from above.

Incidentally, these images were taken of another unknown tree located along the driveway. This one is adjacent to my neighbor’s home, and like so many of the trees around here, is too large to enjoy in just one shot. These are but a few glimpses of its grandeur. More to follow!

Foxes and Flowers

Yesterday my order of organic bird seed arrived while I was sleeping off a migraine. That afternoon I eagerly tossed handfuls of seed beneath the evergreen tree outside my window. It’s been rather cold around here, and I figured it was high time I start doing my share to give back to the local wildlife.

I was hoping not only to help the birds through the cold spell, but also to improve my chances of getting some pictures. As I’ve mentioned before, the birds around here are plentiful and beautiful! This morning, upon awakening, I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, fed the dogs, put on my glasses, and went to sit down by the window and wait to see who came for the feast.

As I looked at the seed on the ground below, I noticed that many of the peanuts (which are a part of one of the bird seed mixes) had already been cracked open. Assuming the squirrels had arrived first, I began to scan the ground for grey fluffy tails. About two seconds later, a beautiful, black-eared, golden-red fox strolled over, and proceeded to happily make breakfast out of the seeds and nuts!

It was the most amazing sight! I’ve seen foxes from a distance trotting around the farm, but this was as close as I’ve ever gotten to a fox. I happily observed her/him for a good fifteen minutes munching away at the sunflower seeds. The fox was obviously picking out the good ones, and seemed much happier with some of the smaller seeds as opposed to the peanuts.

After the fox went on its way, I went out to look around a little, and found the flowers you see in the above picture just beyond the tree. I believe that these are called snowdrops. Having bloomed only in the last day, they have managed to precede the crocus who have been diligently swelling for weeks now. I know that those croci are going to open sometime soon… perhaps this week?

The silo and her trees

I’m not certain just why I love this silo so much. When I finally get out my watercolors, pencils, and charcoals, I think that the silo and her tree-neighbors will be among my first subjects.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Dripping with Diamonds

This is my first encounter with freezing rain! It’s really beautiful, although dangerous on the roads.

The trees are all bejeweled with ice, and the world smells beautifully damp with rain!