Sassafras – Tendrils

One Of Many

Yesterday, a day of beautiful, glistening ICE! I planned ahead and had no place to go. But oh those loud SNAPS, and CRACKS. I knew that at the very least that sound meant a tree had lost a limb.

Or even worse a tree was down. Or a tree was down across the lane, or the road.

And that was the case many times over. The top photo is of a large Sassafras tree being hugged by a Flowering Dogwood. The bottom image, the same pair, close up. The Sassafras had lost its battle with a wood borer several years ago. Yesterday the ice brought it down. Right across the lane. The required “key” to exit, a chainsaw.

As luck would have it, the road down the mountain is a state maintained road and they take very good care of that road and its residents. Ah, living in the mountains. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dressed For Autumn

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Putting on an eye catching show in the mountains.

Rich yellows, golds, reds, oranges and purply-browns.

Summertime, they produce a black berry supported by a scarlet cup-like stem. Seldom noticed. They’re there though. Just look for them. But these autumn leaves, no search is necessary. That color can’t be missed.

And Now Autumn

Gone are the days of carefree summer.

Oh but the things to come. Color. The color of Virginia Creeper with it’s crimson leaves.

Brilliant color. All the leaves that had been cool greens now becoming warm colors. Rich colors become ubiquitous. Red Maples turning red or orange or yellow.