Friday, August 21, 2009

Getting arboreal: A Nature Collection

Julie and I are at it again.

Last time, we went From Sea to Shining Sea -- a cinch if you live in coastal Connecticut and your pal lives in San Diego. But not so easy for others. Not everyone has an ocean in their backyard.

So this time, it's trees. If you'll pop over to The Land of Lost Luggage, Julie will explain the "rules." I hope Julie doesn't mind if I speak for both of us, but it's only rules in the broadest sense. We welcome stretching, pushing and general creative expanding.


Case in point: Here you see many trees, not just one. Why? Well, I just plain couldn't decide. So at the top you'll see a crabapple tree. Wait until you see how gorgeous this beauty looks in the fall.

Next up is the old Center School, now Board of Education headquarters, and the home of the 1902 Constitutional Convention pin oak. That's Connie at the far right of the building. You can get a better look at him directly above.


This is Connie, too. He was planted in 1902 to commemorate the Connecticut Constitutional Convention. One sapling was planted in each Connecticut town. The trees have thrived, unlike the movement to tinker with the constitution. That was defeated -- and continues to be defeated. Hooray, Nutmeggers!

This lovely is a Japanese maple. Not the small, lacy kind but the larger, sturdy tree with scrumptious fall color.

Maybe my favorite leaf shape of them all.


So lovely.

This is Rover, our backyard pink dogwood. OK, the name is silly, but what else should I call a dogwood? If people can name their golden retriever Dave, why can't I call this guy Rover?


Not into naming trees? No problem, not everyone is quite as nuts as I am. In fact, I have MORE trees, but they'll wait for another time. Now Julie and I would love to see your trees. And as Julie mentioned, if you include a leaf shot as well, I'll do my best to identify your arboreal friend.

Ready to play?

14 comments:

Kim Mailhot said...

This should be a fun one, JeriAnn ! I was going to go get some shots today but man is it sweltering outside in NH ! More fun in the am before the heat sets in...
Thanks for the green treasures !

Julie Prichard said...

JeriAnn....I am going to LOVE seeing all of your fall tree shots..what a FANTASTIC collection!! Hooray!

Seth said...

Glad to see I am not the only one who might have more than one tree. My kind of collab -- one where you can s t r e t c h the rules!

Sandy said...

hi JeriAnn,
Coastal CT, me too!!! where in CT are you? Looks a little like Essex. I love the Japanese Maple leaves too! This is sooo much fun!!

suzanengler said...

Your photos are really great. Each one captures something special about the tree. I never thought about naming a tree; seems pretty obvious now that you mention it!

Bea said...

All my favorite trees! No wonder it was hard to pick just one. I name trees too so I understand Rover. hmmm ok maybe I don't understand that particular name, but............... Thanks for stopping by and checking out my tree. My granddaughter told me it looks like a big old bear.
:)Bea

Unknown said...

you two! This is such a great idea...off to search for a tree or two.

x..x

Unknown said...

come see my tree...
http://rodrigvitzstyle.typepad.com/rodrigvitz_style/2009/08/getting-arboreal.html

x..x

Lisa H said...

Ah, a tree project (says the keeper of the FOREST FLOOR Journal).
My BFF guy friend who has a ton of my family photos and ephemera, just brought me a dream-family-photo album. There's a photo of my great grandmother, who planted the Mothers Day Tree on the White House Lawn and had the Wye Oak (yes, one, real tree) designated the Maryland Tree. You should SEE this photo. You will if I can get the HP scanner to scan!

tami said...

I think you must be the Tree Queen!
Love the photos and I love the idea of nameing my tree.
I have planted trees in memory of my father and brother but I didn't name them. Great idea!

Leslie said...

Lovely JeriAnn, and such an awesome idea. I'm all over this -- two weeks late.

Zoe, ontheroad said...

What wonderful examples of nature's lovely friends, our trees.

Unknown said...

Holy smokes this is a great post! I am looking forward to seeing your trees in the winter!

Have a great hair day! Becci

Julie Prichard said...

Just a reminder that the Getting Arboreal: A Nature Collection is up for an update next week. Try to make a post with both your original tree photo and your new tree photo and leave me a comment so I can update the links. Hope to see you then!