Category: Trees & Shrubs
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First Shade Day – The Leaves are Out!
First Shade Day is the first day you can see shade from the trees each spring. May 5 was First Shade Day this year; though it was raining when I made the observation. First Shade Day signifies the unofficial beginning of spring. I know the cold, damp gloomy days are over. John Holden Below are…
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An Evening Walk – The Road not Taken
Last night I went for the best walk I’ve had in a while. We’ve had high heat, high humidity and a ton of rain the last couple weeks which hasn’t encouraged walks. I started around 5:00 PM without much of an idea where I was headed. At one corner left would take me home in…
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There’s a Fungus Among Us
While working this week I spotted this cool fungus. I wish I could tell you more about it. In the picture at the top of the post you can see a puddle of rainwater on the fungus. We’ve had a very rainy summer which is probably why this fungus looks so healthy. Looking down at…
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Early Spring Blooming Plants – Part 1
I visited the Bartlett Arboretum in mid-April and had a ball looking at early spring blooming plants. Below are some pictures from my visit. Cornell Pink Rhododendron (Rhododendron mucronulatum ‘Cornell Pink’) Winter Hazel (Corylopsis pauciflora) Lenten Rose Sp. (Helleborus sp.) Star Magnololia (Magnolia Stellata) More pictures from my visit coming soon.
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How Does a Tree Heal
A tree forms callous tissue to cover wounds. How quickly a tree heals depends on the size of the wound and where it’s cut. The Sugar Maple cross-section at the top of this post shows a well healed wound. You can see the cut and the callous tissue that closed the wound. Below is the same wound from the…
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Common Witch Hazel – Late Fall Bloom
Common Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is an underappreciated small tree. It blends into the background most of the year until late Fall when in bloom. How many other trees are in bloom in early December? Where to Plant Common Witch Hazel Don’t use Common Witch Hazel in your foundation planting. It’s informal habit won’t work with…
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Jack Frost Exceedingly Bad Day
Yesterday we had snow, then rain, then ice and then snow again. When I woke this morning it was a frigid 26 degrees. You’d think I’d be used to spring snow. I’ve lived in southern New England all my life where the weather is anything but predictable. I’m not. Every time Jack Frost lays waste to…
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Random Acts of Kindness
There are good people in this world. This morning I stopped at McDonald’s to pick up breakfast. I was short 85 cents and asked for a moment to go to my truck for change. The cashier didn’t hesitate to say, “Don’t worry about it.” It’s moments like these that I realize how wonderful the world is. While…
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Late Season Blooming Flowers
Last Monday, November 16th I was cutting back perennials in Trumbull, Connecticut in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. I noticed a couple of beautiful late season blooming flowers. We’ve already had several hard frosts. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees and been cleaned up. Late Season Blooming Flowers I first noticed a grouping of Honorine Jobert Windflower…