We walked down to the mailbox the other day, and saw some of the 'Bradford' Pears still holding onto their leaves.  Some are bright red, others are bright yellow, and some are already bear nekked, ready for winter.

 

We all call them 'Bradford' Pear, but if you want the botanical name, it is Pyrus calleryana and the variety names vary.  Some are 'Bradford', some 'Cleveland Select', and some 'Whitehouse'.  

 

They are not small trees, as we know, but if you plan to buy and/or plant one, be sure to allow enough room for it to grow 45 feet tall, and 20 feet wide!  Given enough space they are truly beautiful spring, summer, and fall. If you love tree silhouette beauty, they're even great in winter.

 

Better check them out soon, leaves are falling as we speak.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

While I was in Virginia, we went to the Norfolk Botanical Garden.  This Maple forest bonsai was in the Japanese garden.

 

It lives outside all year, and by now it is showing its fall color.  So, it is scarlet, just like all the other maples!!!  I love how it really looks like a forest in miniature.  It is displayed at eye level, and is only about 2 feet tall.  Gorgeous!!

 

In Horticulture school, my favorite instructor, Pat Bridges, taught us a little about bonsai; it was his passion.  He spent time in Japan learning the art of bonsai, and shared some with us. 

 

First of all, the proper pronunciation is bone-sigh.  It means a tree in a tray.  It is an ancient practice of growing trees in miniature.  The roots are drastically pruned to fit the tray (the pot) and the top is pruned and trained to look like it would look if grown to full size, or in this case, a forest!

 

Mr. Bridges has been practicing the art of bonsai for over 50 years, and has several trees that are that old!  They are truly beautiful.  I'll show you a couple of his bonsai, one is a Crabapple, the other is a Japanese Black Pine.

 

 

This is the Crabapple.  See how he bleached the trunk to make it look weathered, and trained the branches to appear ancient?  It's about 18 inches including the pot.  And you know that crabapple trees grow to be 15 - 30 feet tall.  It blooms in spring and bears fruit just like all other crabapple trees.  Such a delight to see it in miniature.

 

 

Look at his Japanese Black Pine bonsai.  This tree normally grows to a height of 80-100 feet!!!  And here it is in a pot, and it is less than 12 inches tall.  This won Best in Show this year, Bonsai Club International.  I don't know how old it is, but it has quite a personality!  

 

So did my friend, Pat Bridges.  He just recently left his earthly life behind, and has gone to his heavenly home.  He will always be here with me.  He taught me Tree Identification, Horticulture, and how to think like a plant.  So every time I talk to you, he's here too.  I am so fortunate!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

I'm glad I took this picture the other day, because when we saw it yesterday, it had dropped all its leaves!!!

 

Here's a neat "Memory Lane" story. 

 

Before Ted and Nancy bought their house on Beaconhill, it was owned by Joel and Donna McKinney.  Maybe you remember Joel; he worked at the Caney Creek recycle center (the dump.)  He was our friend.  Unfortunately, we never met his wife, Donna.  They were in Florida on vacation when we moved here, and she died before they got back home.  Well, Joel planted a tiny Red Maple tree next to the little bridge he built.  And he dedicated it to her memory.  Every time I see the little Maple tree flourishing, I think of my friend, Joel.

 

Joel lives in Florida now, closer to his children and grandchildren, so we rarely see him, but we remember him fondly. 

 

It's good to plant trees; they live on long after the person who planted them is gone.  They create milestones in our lives and provide enjoyment to all who see them.  I'm sure Ted and Nancy enjoy their Maple tree as much as we do. 

 

Thanks Joel, for planting it.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

 

Have you seen the maple trees?  WOW!!!  These are at the Methodist church in Blairsville, and they are breathtaking!  Drive into the parking lot and get ready to be amazed.  Better go soon, cause they are starting to drop their leaves.

 

I am sure they are Red Maple, Acer rubrum, but they may be a special cultivar grown for nurserymen.  In our woods grow the native red maples, but these were planted here by a Landscape person, so they may be something special.  She's in my yoga class; I'll ask her next time I see her.   Anyway, they are gorgeous!!  

 

You know, there is a scientific explanation for fall color, involving anthocyanins and carotenoids,  but I like to think it happens for our viewing pleasure.  And I'm sticking with that story. 

 

If you'd like to explore the science of fall color (in great detail) go to:  Fall color explained

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

Check this out!!  It is American Bittersweet, Celastrus scandens.  It is a twining, woody vine that can grow to more than 50 feet!!  It can be seen all around our mountains, climbing over (sometimes taking over) the trees.  

 

I've been waiting to get this picture.  The yellow seeds have just started to pop open showing bright red berries!!  Pretty soon the leaves will fall off, and all you see is the vine with bright yellow and red berries:  very festive.  I've seen these vines used in the floral industry, but I don't know how to preserve them so that the berries don't fall off all over the place.  Probably not a good decoration for homes with pets or small children.

 

Be sure to notice Bittersweet on your walks or rides around the neighborhood.  It is beautiful to see out in Nature.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

Here's another picture of my nemesis, poison ivy. This time showing fall color, AND you can see the hairy roots.

 

My friend Sandy Bradley was also a Girl Scout, back in the day....and she KNOWS how to recognize Poison ivy.  She just couldn't remember this jingle about it:

 

Leaves of THREE, let it be....  or this one:

 

You can shake hands with five fingers, but not with THREE.

 

 

However you remember it, DON'T TOUCH IT!!!

Not all THREE leaved plants are poisonous, but if you're not sure, just leave them alone.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

On Monday, while we were all inside making soup, knitting hats, shivering against the cold,  our friend Al was riding his bike up Brasstown Bald.  He even took a picture for posterity.  I know you've seen Al riding his bike all over our mountain.  It's the first thing he does when he gets to Five Forks:  a celebratory ride, twice around the loop!!

 

We used to think "that guy is crazy,"  But now we know that he's dedicated to exercise and good health.  And he loves a good, brisk bike ride.

 

And speaking of dedication, we'll talk about Patty Tegtman next.   ;)~   She's the marathon runner.  

 

BE HEALTHY, BE HAPPY!!!

 

I told you!!!    We saw this Trail Tree in Meeks park on the ridge line trail.  The bend is about 7 feet off the ground.  I think that qualifies as a horse and rider tree.  How exciting to see another one. 

 

I can't wait til our next hiking adventure;  keeping my eyes open, looking for Indian Trail Trees.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

Remember I told you about the roots on poison ivy?  Unlike other vines, poison ivy has hairy roots.  

 

We saw this growing on the big oak tree at the big right turn on Stonebriar, just below George and Priscilla's.  I'm not calling IT beautiful, but it is a beautiful example of poison ivy roots.  Even though I can't see the leaves, I know it's poison ivy.

 

Don't touch it!!!!!  All parts of the plant (including the roots) are covered in a heavy oil, Urusheol, that causes a dermatitis reaction in most people.  EVEN IN THE WINTER!!

 

So, look but don't touch!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!

 

Have you ever noticed this tree on Five Forks Drive, in front of the Geene's house?  It is a very special oak tree.  We believe it is an Indian trail tree.  There are lots of them in the mountains, especially in North Georgia.

 

We've been reading about them:  fascinating!!  

 

Long before road signs and highways, native people needed ways to mark their paths through the woods;  to find their way home, to find sources of water or danger.  Some clever, unknown person decided to bend young oak saplings in a particular direction to send messages to their fellow travellers.  And these trees became known as "Indian Sign Posts."

 

Most trail trees are bent about 3 feet off the ground, with a horizontal section, and an upright trunk coming off of it.  At the corner where the tree grows upright there is a "nose," and this is what points the way.  Later, trail trees needed to be seen by people on horseback, so there are also trail trees bent 8 feet off the ground.  They are known as "Horse and Rider" trail trees.  These trees also send messages, just higher up to be seen from horseback.

 

Trail trees were bent for many reasons.  They point out direction of travel, sources of food and water, caves or safe areas to hide, or even to give false messages to an enemy, leading them away from a village or campsite.  Before bridges were built, people needed to know where they could safely cross rivers or streams.  Trail trees were bent to point out shallow crossing places.

 

I'm not sure if anybody still bends oak saplings to send messages, but, fortunately there are many survivors of the practice.  They are historical monuments now, and national treasures.  (My opinion.)

 

Now that we know what they are, we are always on the lookout for Indian Trail Trees.  We know of at least one in Meeks Park on the hiking trail.  I can't remember if it's low (to advise walkers) or high (to be seen from the back of a horse.) I'll look next time we're there.  I hope you will discover some too.

 

If you'd like to learn more about Indian Trail Trees, go to:   Mountain Stewards

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!