Honey Locust

The forboding canopy of Honey Locust

American White Pelicans

American White Pelicans  must have found a school of fish for they swam in this formation eating the fish
below.

Eastern Red Bud Bark

Eastern Red bud tree that has these bumps up the bole. Are they burls?

Creation

 

 Job 12:7-9 But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. 8 “Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you. 9 “Who among all these does not know That the hand of the Lord has done this,

Old White Oak in Winter

There is a tree that is not far from where I live and not far off the road I wanted to revisit. I was there 5 years ago and had measured it then. I was thinking is was a big tree for the area I live in and wanted to measure it to see its growth. When we got there I noticed the canopy showed a lot of branches were dead, the top had been broken off in years past and the tree probably would not last much longer.

It was a stately tree and was the biggest White oak I had measured. Granted, there were I am sure, much bigger white oaks. But I had not measured them. This old friend had seen much change down through the years. The woods around it were much younger. The woods was more of an abandoned strip which was waiting to be cleared for development. Yet the development had not come.

Much to my delight I have been able to enjoy hiking here and experiencing the natural life there.

Anyway this old tree was showing its age and as in life all things will come to an end in this world. But I will watch this old tree in its last days and years. Being in undeveloped land it will be there until it breaks in a storm.

The measurement. January 27^th 2009 circumference 179.5 inches. February 14^th 2014 circumference 190.75” a 11.25 inches of circumference or 6% increase in 5 years.

Woods

I live in part of the world where there are no mountains. When I go outside I don't see in the distance the peaks breaking up into the skyline. I don't have forests to visit and roam on those mountains.

I live in a place where there is no saw mills. At least I have not seen any. I never see a log truck rumbling down the road with a load of logs. Some, of course would wonder, why I would want to see log trucks. “Aren't you a tree lover,” they would say. Yes I do love trees and log trucks would mean there are trees close by.

I live in a place where liking trees is an oddity. I have never run into a person that hikes in the woods to find trees. In fact when I hike in most woods I go to I don't run into anybody. Now that can be taken both ways. One of the reasons I like going to where trees grow is to enjoy the peace that is there. And if I had people there the peace would be broken. Yet in the times when I have come across someone, there is interesting conversation. But I can't remember what it was, that was a while back.

I do live in a place where there are patches of woods here and there. And I make use of these woods often. And I thank the Lord for these trees. If you like trees you don't have to have millions to enjoy. One tree has enough to it to learn and watch for decades. A tree is like an old friend. When I come across a tree I have visited before I can learn and remember and note what is there.

Cedar Tree in Winter

 We measured this Eastern Red Cedar tree the 29th of Nov 2013

Height 48'
Circumference 95 1/4"
Canopy of 45' & 40'
 Total points = 151

The tree seems to have a flat top like many trees.  I don't expect this tree to gain much height. We'll see when we return at a later date. I do think it shows some beauty as it shades the grave yard.

Creek in New Snow

 Hiking on Sunday afternoon I went by this creek. It has just snowed about 1/2 inch after 8 inches earlier in the week.


 

Snag Tree as Landmark

 This snag is used as a marker as I walk my course through the woods. It can be seen from a distance and stands out with the white and black on the bole of the snag. Trees in winter blend in together and it is hard to see much difference between one tree and another. The tree is also bigger than other trees in the area, making it easier to see.

It seems this tree was here when the field was open and used as a pasture.

Osage Orange Trees

 

The tree leaning to the right and the tree just to the left of this tree are Osage orange trees.



2 Photos of Osage orange. Many times they grow with multiple stems. I never has seen woods dominated by them. But they occur here and there and I am interested to find them. It is impossible to pass through these. You must go around them. The branches are stiff and the thorns will tear your clothes and skin. :(

Vines Engulf Tree

This tree doesn't have a chance. Vines have got it covered.

Deer Rub

I'll see these deer rubs in the woods from time to time. They are doing 3 things.

Rubbing ghe velvet off the antlers. Marking their territory with scent glands near their antlers, so other bucks will know they are there.

Tall Grass

Here I am standing in tall grass next to a Black walnut.

Season Contrast of E. Cottonwood

Here is some contrast photos on a Eastern Cottonwood tree.

Red Wing Blackbird

Female or 1st year Red wing black bird.

Photo taken October 9th 2013

Verticle Bark Scar

Hiking in some woods I was checking on a sapling Bitternut hickory. Yes it is still there. :) Of course it is there. I was just making sure that I could find it from my descriptions. I have, at times, hurried through my description of where a tree was and have never found it again.

One of the things that throws me off, is the difference of the way the forest looks in the winter compared to the summer.

My descriptions in the winter have been completely useless in the summer.  What I was looking at to find later that summer, would completely be too far away to see through the tangle of vibrant life. So I had to give up the search.

Yet I never regretted the visit I make in the past. For it is not only looking for nature lessons, I was also looking for solace and rest by experiencing nature as it is. This in itself is enough for me at times.



Going further away from my sapling Bitternut hickory I come to a N Red oak. I ID the tree by the flat ridges of bark further up the tree that are characteristic of these. On the west side I notice this vertical scar in the bark.  When I get back home a Google of tree scars and bark injury doesn't give me an answer. But this tree has been cataloged and I will return to watch. Perhaps I will find the answer, or maybe not. Yet there is much to learn and observe even if I don't get a scientific answer to the question.

Book I'm Reading Now

Bald Cypress Trees

Bald cypress trees.

Bird Feeders

I was late getting my bird feeders up this year. But in this cold they are needed more than ever.

Here are the 3 bird feeders around our house. The green bird feeder is an anti squirrel feeder. But so far they have left the feeders alone.

Bee in Trumpet Vine Flower

I caught this bee in the flower of a Trumpet Vine flower. Photo taken the 8th of August.