For Dad

Happy Father’s Day Dad! These are for you! And Happy Father’s Day to Grandpa Tom, too!

The first image is a trillium which I caught an image of while still living in Olympia, Washington. Trailhead also has some righteous trillium photos at Trailhead Images. (From what I remember, Dad loves trilliums as much as I do).

Our second image is of the mystery elm. One of these days I’ll be able to give you a definitive answer as to its identity!

Third we have another mystery tree. I am at a complete loss as to what it might be: this tree is growing right next to the house in the front yard, and was obviously planted there by humans. The little flowers surprised me literally overnight, and disappeared almost as quickly. Any ideas as to what she could be?

The fourth image is of a beautiful mystery plant. While this plant has much the same shape as a young fireweed (among my favorite flowers), I know that it can’t possibly be the same plant. Fireweed would be WAY bigger by now!

My dad’s many interests include different branches of botany, and with that, paleobotany. There’s no doubt that my father’s interest in all things green and my parents’ decision to live in a well-treed place has fed my own natural love for trees and plants, and digging in the dirt.

Dad and Mom have provided me with numerous tree books, and my trusty camera, both of which are critical tools used in creating Arboreality, and in continuing my own botanical studies. To both Mom and Dad, thank you!

To Dad, and all fathers:
I wish you a very happy, relaxing Father’s Day!

Mystery Elm Tree, I Presume?

What we have here is another mystery tree as I mentioned yesterday, but one for which I am leaning strongly towards elm tree as its identity.

Pennsylvania is home to both the American Elm and the Slippery Elm (among others), but for now I haven’t got a clue as to whether this tree is one of the two, or another type of elm entirely.

I do know that it’s gorgeous! Standing tall between the beech and the sycamore I’ve recently introduced you to, this tree once cradled a treehouse for my landlady’s son in his youth. Even without all its leaves on, this supposed-elm-tree is rapidly providing a lovely bit of shade in the northeastern corner of the farm.

What really takes my breath away with this particular tree is not only its elegance, but also those crazy green rosettes of “flowers”. They are actually more like seeds surrounded by circlets of paper-thin petal, all bunched together at the end of the twigs. It will be interesting to see whether those stick around, or grow into something different in coming weeks.

Clearly more investigation of the leaves, bark, fruit, and growth habits of this tree will be required in order to distinguish it from other elms. I’ll have to get back to you on the true identity of this one, but as always please feel welcome to add your own suggestions!

Arbor Day Tree Blogging

Around the world, people celebrate Arbor Day at different times, but the purpose is always the same: to celebrate the trees.

In my new home state of Pennsylvania, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last day of every April. If you are interested in learning more about Arbor Day, it’s history, and the many dates upon which different countries and states celebrate this special day, you can visit The National Arbor Day Foundation online.

What better excuse than Arbor Day to share a large selection from the plethora of trees that I have gathered for you at Arboreality?

I offer you these tree images in celebration of Arbor Day, and wish you all a wonderful, leafy-green, Happy Tree and Forest Day!

Concealed among the trees

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of joining my landlady for a little stroll through a part of the farm that I had not yet explored.

This northeastern-most corner runs up against the surrounding development, but is still heavily treed, much to my extreme pleasure. As the landlady and I wandered around she pointed out where gardens and other structures once stood, where the old driveway used to run a mile out to the highway, and told some of the memories she has of who planted what, when, and why.

At one point, she remarked, “You know, I haven’t visited this part of the property in over a year!” This news made me feel good, as well as a little surprised: it’s a beautiful corner thick with stately, old trees, sapling thickets, and semi-naturalized garden flowers. I was glad that walking with me was the excuse she needed to walk over and see how beautiful it all still is, no matter how overgrown.

How about you? When you gaze out in your yards, or parks, or other surrounding green spaces, which ones do you walk by each day without ever peeking in? Have a look sometime. You’ll never know when you’ll find a surprise lurking in the brush, as we did in the final two images.

Coming up we’ll be investigating some of the trees I found in the northeastern corner, as well as some more of the trees blossoming along the driveway.