February 23-27, 2021
This winter I have been looking closely at trees. To suppliment my understanding of Tree, I watched Intelligent Trees on Amazon Prime. It turns out that trees have a very complex life both above and below ground. Here in southern Vermont I am surrounded by tree life. And I am happy to be learning more.
In this post I have included photographs of the Catalpa, the Sycamore and the Maple trees that I live with. I will post more findings as my collections grow.
( You can expand the any of the images by clicking on them)
The Catalpa Tree.
I have leaned against this mighty tree and felt her strength. I have smelled her sweet blossoms in June. I have been awestruck by the myriad of tiny seeds folded within the long thin bean pods that dangle from her branches in the winter.
I love this tree!
The Sycamore Tree
Look closely at this old ones “arm” and you will see beauty we rarely observe and appreciate. The mottling, colors, lines and shapes are unique and intriguing.
Her small hard seed balls twist in the winter winds. And in the spring they will drop to the earth and release the seed.
The Maple Tree
It is time to make the maple syrup in Vermont, this year beginning now, the last week of February. It is also the beginning of mud season . . . they go together. The roads pictured are Old Athens in Westminster West (left) and Kipling in Dummerston (right).
I have observed two ways to collect the sap from the Maple trees. The traditional bucket (left) and the more modern plastic tubing (right).
Sugar, Red and Black Maple trees will yield sap for making syrup.
Curled tubing stays in the woods year round (left). With either bucket or tubing, sap is collected by inserting a spicket into the tree.
It takes alot of trees to make alot of syrup. How about these old ones?
A variety of collecting tanks can be found in the woods.
More about syrup making in another posting.
Nature’s heart