It’s December 1st. The first day of meteorological winter. This image, an ice storm, does its thing on a Colorado Blue Spruce, mid-January 2015. Once a Christmas tree, then planted in the yard. Again one day to be a Christmas tree.
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). This graceful pose by my model, the female White-breasted Nuthatch, was captured a while ago but reflects the many birds that I’m seeing right now at my feeders. I didn’t have the feeders out during the summer and greatly missed seeing all but the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds which circled the cabin, round and round. The Hummingbirds, of course, have long ago migrated south but now I’m delighted to have the winter soon to start, with its myriad of birds that will bring great warmth to my heart.
During the winter when there is little to use to identify a tree, the bark is often the place to go to get that identity.
Two trees that grow here in the Blue Ridge Mountains that can offer a bit of confusion, due to each having shaggy bark are shown here in these eight photographs.
The first 4 images are of Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) with its bark which comes off in large pieces. Keep scale in mind. This tree is not shy about shedding its bark in a big way.
The Shagbark Hickory grows in the eastern United States and southeast Canada. It is a large tree that can attain a height of 100 feet and can live to be more than 350 years of age.
These next 4 photos are are Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Think smaller scale. As you can see above, not all of the Hop-hornbeams shed their bark.
The Hop-hornbeam, a small understory tree, reaches a height of 25 to 40 feet, and lives an average of 50 to 150 years.
The “hops” in its common name is because of the tree’s fruit which resembles the fruit of the hops plant which is used in beer making.
The Hop-hornbeam is also a shreddy tree but not only is it a smaller tree, it’s shreds are also smaller. Think delicate in appearance as compared to the Shagbark Hickory.
A few mornings ago as I sat eating my waffles I was treated to a wonderful sight. Snow flurries being blown through the sky. Blowing quickly past the window I was peering through. Certainly not unusual for this time of year. That got me thinking of the marvelous weather that winters can bring. And of course SNOW! Even snow on Christmas Day is possible. My spot here in the mountains increases those chances. When that happens it’s magical. Maybe it’ll happen this year. Got my fingers crossed.
There are some blueberry bushes that are spectacular every season of the year, including autumn, with their brilliant scarlet leaves. Seeming to shout, “Here comes WINTER!”
A couple days ago I told you about a bit about the bark of Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). When the tree is young its bark is red/brown with horizontal lenticels giving it the appearance of a Cherry Tree. As the tree matures the bark changes to a pale gray/brown and becomes quite shreddy with narrow strips.
The leaves of Hop-hornbeam are alternate, doubly serrated, and have prominent veins. The fruit resembles the fruit of Hops (Humulus lupulus) which are used in beer making, and that gives this small tree the first part of its common name. The tree grows to a height of 25-45′ and has an average life span of 50 to 150 years. As you’re out hiking be watching for it.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) soaking up the sunshine. A chilly day but oh! That color has such warmth!
Warm colors of autumn. Dancing Sassafras trees. Toffee yellow Maple leaves. The trails call to me.
As leaves fall in autumn, so does a key element in identification of trees, lost to the wind. The bark of the tree is another route to take if you want that I.D. This scrappy looking bark belongs to the Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana). Pay attention as you roam through the woods. What are the barks that you are seeing?
Oh it is so very nice to be back in autumn again. I spent a few days traveling to Florida and got to experience the change of seasons all over again. I traveled south into summer and green green green. Returning yesterday I got the thrill of seeing the mountains covered in their autumn best. Golds, yellows, reds, oranges and lovely burnt siennas. Colors that tell me snow will be soon arriving. I can hardly wait.
These leaves, putting on a welcome back show for me, are American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). Leaves that are reminiscent of American Chestnut leaves with their ocean wave edges. No wonder. They are in the same family, Fagaceae. Ahh! What color. How nice to be back in autumn.
