It’s sometimes difficult to predict when the peak in fall colors will occur, if indeed there is a peak at all. Some years, many trees’ leaves simply turn brown and drop to the ground. Whether the trees display a big splash of color across the entire landscape or not, there’s always, I repeat, always, little pockets of color here and there, you just have to look for it. Here’s a few photos of what you may be missing if you don’t getRead more
Posts tagged: #American Sycamore
Receipts on trees?
It’s winter and the trees, most of them, don’t have leaves on them. But it was pointed out to me by Meredith (Master Teacher here at the Museum) that several small trees on the south side of the Wetlands still had some of their leaves attached, though they were all attached to the tree in an odd way. According to Meredith, the leaves looked as though they had been stuck onto the twigs in a manner as would a receipt onRead more
The Big White Tree with the Peeling Bark
I was recently asked whether or not I knew why the bark on American Sycamore drops off the tree in large thin flakes. Coincidentally, while walking around the Outdoor Exhibits this winter with camera in hand, I’ve been taking photos of various trees to use on this blog in a series of informal, mini-field guides. My intention was to start with some of the more readily identifiable winter trees, trees without leaves. Although winter’s nearly over, this is a goodRead more
Early Fall Colors
Sycamore’s white upper bark stands out against the clear blue skies of fall. This tall hardwood does especially well near water. Look up and enjoy the view as you stroll the outdoor exhibit areas of the Museum. The deep purple berries of Pokeweed are quickly disappearing, leaving only the magenta stems of the plant to glisten in the afternoon sun. Gray Catbirds relish Poke Berries as do many of the other mimic thrushes and thrushes that are passing through ourRead more
A Few Flowers and a Photo Quiz
Blue-eyed Grass, Buttercups and Ox-eye Daisy are in flower. Fringe Tree, or Old Man’s Beard, is also in bloom. You can see this small tree or shrub with its unusual, stringy, white flowers on the left side of the path just before entering the Red Wolf Exhibit and next to the path between Catch the Wind and Explore the Wild on the back side of the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind Loop. All of the trees on the Explore theRead more