Posts Tagged ‘Tree following’

Following a Mystery Tree…What It Is Not

Posted in Follow a tree, tagged , , on April 13, 2015| 10 Comments »

April 2, 2015...The tree is getting leaves. I'm hoping someone can ID this tree.

April 2, 2015…The tree is getting leaves. I’m hoping someone can ID it.

Does this look like an alder leaf? I've looked at dozens of alder leaves, but they look slightly different...wider, with less exaggerated serrations.

Does this look like an alder leaf? I’ve looked at dozens of alder leaves, but they look slightly different…wider, with less exaggerated serrations.   Alder leaves are supposed to be egg-shaped.

This is what the back of the leaf looks like.

This is what the back of the leaf looks like.

Are these the female flowers?

Are these the female flowers?  I apologize for the blurriness of this photo, but it shows them as they are on the tree.  The below photo is sharper.

Are these the female flowers? I snipped the branch and took it home to get a sharper photo.

I snipped the branch and took it home to get a sharper photo.

I don’t think this is a cottonwood even though the leaves are serrated, or a Balsam Poplar, or a Cascara Buckthorn, but I guess it still could be an Alder or even a birch.

You might think that I followed up on a decision to cut the ivy off this tree, but that's not factual. After reading a comment by Steve Mitchell (in my last post) about the value of ivy growing on a tree, I hesitated. The trimming was not done by myself, and at this time, I don't know 'who dun it." The owners don't know either.

You might think that I followed up on a decision to cut the ivy off this tree, but that’s not factual. After reading a comment by Steve Mitchell (in my last post) about the value of ivy growing on a tree, I hesitated.
The trimming was not done by myself, and at this time, I don’t know ‘who dun it.” The owners don’t know either.

Just for a point of reference, these fir trees across the street from the mystery tree have ivy growing up their trunks. They don't seem to be in any danger of dying, so what I've read on several web sites about ivy not being a parasite might be true.

Just for a point of reference, these fir trees across the street from the mystery tree have ivy growing up their trunks. They don’t seem to be in any danger of dying, so what I’ve read on several web sites about ivy not being a parasite might be true.

Gardening Know How says… “Alder trees (Alnus spp.) are often used in reforestation projects and to stabilize soil in wet areas, but you seldom see them in residential landscapes.”

I suppose this tree could have been started just from a bird dropping a seed, but I would really like to know what it is.  Any ideas?

 

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Tree Following a Mystery Tree

Posted in Follow a tree, tagged , on March 6, 2015| 15 Comments »

The bare bones of the tree. I'm wondering if it's an alder. I guess I'll find out when the leaves make their appearance.

The bare bones of the tree. I’m wondering if it’s an alder. I guess I’ll find out when the leaves make their appearance.

Looking up into the umbrella before the leaves form.

Looking up into the umbrella before the leaves form.

Here's a better look at the white bark.

Here’s a better look at the white bark.

A fat robin sits high in the branches.

A fat robin sits high in the branches.

These look like they could be alder cones.

These look like they could be alder cones.

My apologies to everyone in the UK, but this English Ivy has got to go...I hope by this time next month I will have removed it. I've got to get permission from both owners first. It happens I know both of them. They will probably be very happy to have someone take care of it for them.

My apologies to everyone in the UK, but this English Ivy has got to go.  It will compete for food with the tree and if left to grow up the limbs, it could cause them to break by increasing their resistance to wind.  I hope by this time next month I will have removed it. I’ve got to get permission from both owners first. It happens I know both of them. I’m guessing they will be very happy to have someone take care of it for them.

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Following a Tree—September

Posted in Follow a tree, Tulip Tree, tagged , , , , , on September 12, 2014| 8 Comments »

September 10, 2014...Tulip tree is starting to turn color.

September 10, 2014…Tulip tree is starting to turn color.

Yep, they are definitely changing color.

Yep, the leaves are definitely changing color. According to Portland (OR) Parks and Recreation, fall foliage color is gold-yellow.  Featured is  a tulip tree that was planted in the 1890s.

Looking up into the umbrella, even those leaves are yellowing.

Looking up into the umbrella, even these leaves are yellowing.    A member of the Magnoliaceae family, these trees are native in the US, east of the Mississippi.  The record height is 200 feet (61 meters), but many grow to over 100 feet.

The seed pod is just starting to show a little browning on the tips. I never noticed the seed pods before because they are hidden in the foliage, but because of this "tree following" project, I'm pushing leaves out of the way to find them. Luckily, the pods are within reach.

The seed pod is just starting to show a little browning on the tips. I never noticed the seed pods before because they are hidden in the foliage, but because of this “tree following” project, I’m pushing leaves out of the way to find them. Luckily, the pods are within reach.

 

According to Wikipedia… “The soft, fine-grained wood of tulip trees is known as “poplar” (short for “yellow poplar”) in the U.S., but marketed abroad as “American tulipwood” or by other names. It is very widely used where a cheap, easy-to-work and stable wood is needed. The sapwood is usually a creamy off-white color. While the heartwood is usually a pale green, it can take on streaks of red, purple, or even black; depending on the extractives content (i.e. the soil conditions where the tree was grown, etc.). It is clearly the wood of choice for use in organs, due to its ability to take a fine, smooth, precisely cut finish and so to effectively seal against pipes and valves. It is also commonly used for siding clapboards. Its wood may be compared in texture, strength, and softness to white pine.

Used for interior finish of houses, for siding, for panels of carriages, for coffin boxes, pattern timber, and wooden ware. During scarcity of the better qualities of white pine, tulip wood has taken its place to some extent, particularly when very wide boards are required.[3]

It also has a reputation for being resistant to termites, and in the Upland South (and perhaps elsewhere) house and barn sills were often made of tulip poplar beams.”

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Mystery Tree Identified

Posted in Arbor Day, Follow a tree, Tulip Tree, tagged , , on May 7, 2014| 5 Comments »

It’s a Tulip Tree

Thanks to ...

Why is is called a Tulip Tree?  Because the leaves look like open tulips.  Thanks to “The Prospect of Bees,”, “HB,” and Amelia in France I have a solid identification to the mystery tree.  They contributed when they saw the leaf shape in last month’s post.

The Arbor Day Foundation, says a tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera is…“A fast-growing tree with bright green leaves that resemble tulip flowers in profile and turn golden yellow in fall. Greenish-yellow flowers are carried high in the tree. Stems are aromatic. Likes full sun. Grows to 70′ to 90′, 40′ spread. (zones 4-9)”

According to The Peace Bee Farmer, the tulip tree,  also known as Tulip Poplar or Yellow Poplar tree, is a member of the Magnolia family and an important nectar source across  Tennessee, Kentucky, and much of the eastern United States.

May 2, 2014...Tulip tree blossom might be called a "late bloomer."

May 2, 2014…Tulip tree blossom at the pre-open stage.

May 5, 2014...Blossom slow to reveal itself.

May 5, 2014…Blossom slow to reveal itself, but I’m watching it everyday, hoping to catch the opening act.  I’d love to see some bees (maybe my own bees) pollinating it.

Speaking of Arbor Day, I was able to volunteer in the removal of life-choking ivy from alder and ash trees. In the process, I shot some video.  Okay, I was mostly pointing the camera in people’s faces, but I was able to actually DO some work too.

I’m following a tree

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