Tag: Trees

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A Full Cycle

ellenparkerwrites

Several years ago, I started a habit of picking a tree, bush, or garden spot to photograph on the first of each month. The idea was to record growth and change. And also to be able and go back and work into writing (when suitable) time of buds, blossoms, new leaves, and colored foliage.

In 2024, I selected a flowering tree near my home. Here’s the January photo.

Standing straight, this tree appears ready for the challenge of a new year. Will it face drought? Overabundant rain? A gentle spring? Or a freeze-thaw cycle severe enough to interfere with blossoms and leaves.

On the first of December, actually the final day of November, Mother Nature decorated the same tree with the first — and as of the date of this writing, only — snow of the season. Still standing tall, perhaps a little taller than January, the tree appears to welcome the snow. Time to rest without leaves. Let’s hope roots are deeper than the frost line will go this winter. After all — in St. Louis, winter weather varies from day to day as well as year to year.

Are you ready to dig deep and hold on tight through any winter storm? Are your branches sturdy enough to withstand a glaze of ice? Unlike this tree, standing in a solidary position, reach out to neighbors and friends when the cold wind blows or the rain and fog of daily life hide your future.

In the sweet historical romance, New Dreams, immigrants set out from Europe to make a new life in America. Join them on their journey and first several months of adventure and adjustment in their new home. More information at the link. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Pick a Peck

ellenparkerwrites

Go and get a bushel basket. We had several on the farm and used them for all sorts of things. Many items carried in the bushel basket came from the garden –sweet corn or winter squash. But sometimes, a person doesn’t want an entire bushel.

So get a peck. Four to a bushel. A common measure at the apple orchard when we did our annual visit during my childhood.

This urban apple tree looks like you could pick a peck easy. I call it urban because of where it is growing. I don’t know the variety of apple.

In the sweet romance, Hiding Places, the hero, Linc Dray is working hard to inherit his grandfather’s farm and start an apple orchard. But life throws more than the usual number of obstacles in his path. Click on the link to find more book information: https://amzn.to/2Jm26GQ

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Blossom and Bark

ellenparkerwrites

Flowering trees each have their moment in the spring. The dogwood, a large family, is no exception. A drive bordered by forest during a Missouri spring shows the white blossoms of flowering dogwood before other trees unfurl leaves and block the view from the highway.

You’ll find numerous varieties of dogwood in parks and yards throughout the United States. This example, was recently planted near a friend’s home.

Once, prior to 1614, spoken of as the whipple-tree, the dogwood has been valued for centuries. While the berries are edible and some species are valued by birds, the fruit seldom appears on a host’s table. No, the value in this tree to modern man is appearance and shade. Gone are the days when a person harvested a little bark to make medicinal tea to relieve pain and fever.

As the state tree in Missouri (and with similar honors in Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey) they are widespread. Serena Carter, the photographer in the sweet romance Morning Tryst was sure to have encountered dozens in her work within Missouri State Parks. For more on her second-chance romance, click the link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Magnetic in Magenta

ellenparkerwrites

The sight catches your eye and holds your gaze.

A tree of modest size with bright blossoms early in the season. Sometimes it appears as if every limb and twig is highlighted. I speak, of course, of the eastern Redbud tree.

This natural beauty, native to eastern North America south of Michigan, is popular in urban and suburban landscapes. This one is showing off in the St. Louis area in late March.

Leaves will follow the flowers. In the fall, the leaves show off in yellow and take top billing to the seed pods. Oklahoma residents can boast of this as their state tree.

Appearing in the under-forest, a mature tree is 30 feet tall or less, this tree is easy to spot if you happen across it on a Missouri State Park trail. In the sweet romance, Morning Tryst, the tree is not mentioned, but likely photographed. Learn more about the book by following this link: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Lowland Champion

ellenparkerwrites

Warmth. Moisture. Sunlight.

Three things growing plants appreciate in differing quantities. For oak and ash trees, these come together in the correct proportion in the low-lying woodland of Southeastern Missouri.

In a distance measured in yards on a metal boardwalk within Big Oak Tree State Park, you will find a placard by the remains of a former state champion bur oak and current state champion pumpkin ash.

With a diameter of sixty-two inches (5′ 2″) and a height of 104 feet (similar to a ten-story building) I made no attempt to capture the entire tree with my simple camera.

A little time in the peace of the forest (benches are spaced on the boardwalk) does much to restore a soul bruised by the fast pace of the current world. Listen to the birds. Or the breeze in the trees. Savor the fresh air.

Unable to travel? The sweet romance, Morning Tryst will introduce you to several of Missouri’s state parks. Follow the photographer heroine as she records sunrise – and learns truths about herself and the quiet hero, Zack.

Book information here: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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City Spot of Green

ellenparkerwrites

City dwellers of all ages deserve the opportunity to enjoy a bit of nature. In the tiny village where I grew up, we had two parks. One, rather informal, was called The Duck Pond. As you may guess, the primary feature was a pond where ducks hung out. The other, where baseball games were played was operated by a local veteran’s organization.

Larger cities often have more and larger parks than the two I grew up near. And they are great places for a tourist to drop in, as well as local residents.

Willow trees and water features – and waterfowl – were plentiful in Boston Common.

Can you imagine yourself relaxing under the friendly willow on a sunny day and reading a book?

I’d pick a romance to read. Perhaps on the sweet side. If I wanted to mentally visit Missouri parks while relaxing in Boston, my choice would be Morning Tryst.

https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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A Fond Farewell

ellenparkerwrites

All living things have a life span. Pets, farm animals, wild animals, water creatures from small to large, as well as plants from moss to redwoods.

Several years ago, I bid farewell to a large oak tree in my front yard. For twenty years, I enjoyed the shade and the antics of the squirrels racing and leaping on branches and trunk. But the cycle of life keeps turning — and the tree developed a fatal illness which put it on the arborist’s list.

I don’t know how many before me enjoyed the benefits of thousands of leaves and an equal number of acorns. (At least it seemed like it when the year was good and the nuts created obstacles on the nearby sidewalk.) I would not be surprised if the tree was older than me — and I can remember when people talked about Packard cars being discontinued.

Trees abound in Missouri State Parks. For a sweet romance which will introduce you to several parks — try Morning Tryst.

https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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It’s a …Tree?

ellenparkerwrites

Four springtimes ago, in an effort to beautify the grounds, we planted sprigs (too small to be saplings) received from a charity known for forestry efforts.

This one was placed in front of my condo unit. I watered. I fertilized. I kept watch and rejoiced at a few green leaves.

The plant survived the first Missouri winter. And the second. I removed a piece of drainage pipe that kept the lawnmowers and rabbits at bay.

It’s doing well. Soon clusters of tiny white blossoms will open. Later in the summer small, dark berries will feed the birds.

However,

we’re casting our vote for “bush”.

The hero in HIDING PLACES knows what he’s planting in his orchard. Check out the sweet, small town romance here: https://amzn.to/2Jm26GQ

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Big Trees & Many Birds

ellenparkerwrites

In the Southeast corner of Missouri, along the Mississippi River, the land lies low and fertile. At times called “Swampeast” a swatch of forest rises over the flat fields of corn and soybeans.

Preserved as a state park, the area is known for large trees — champion sized oak and large cypress — and birdwatching. More than 150 bird species have been observed in this lowland.

So when planning a trip to Big Oak Tree State Park, check two things — flood conditions and bird guide.

Keep your feet mud free by confining your hike — and bench time — to the elevated metal boardwalk. Behind this inviting bench stands a large, screened structure for an excellent view of birds at the edge of the forest.

MORNING TRYST, a sweet romance, features a photographer who would have visited this park in each season. Kindle: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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The Greening

ellenparkerwrites

During 2021 I tried keeping an informal record of the most prominent tree visible from my front door.

The assignment, carried out with a passing grade, was to photograph the tree from approximately the same position on the first day of each month. (Due to the age of my brain — some photos were taken on the second, or third, or…you get the idea.)

May happened to be a month when I was prompt.

Spring was making an appearance in St. Louis during May. From an April photo of mostly bare twigs, we’re progressed to light green, small, and delicate leaves. At the moment, it does not provide much shade for the car parked nearby. But that’s okay — even the afternoon sun is not strong enough to be a bother. However, the leaves at this stage give hope that the alternating cool and warm days of spring will yield to full summer by the time schools dismiss and swimming pools open.

Did the photographer stand in the middle of the street to take this?

Yes, she did. However, she did follow the wise advice to check traffic first and was ready to dash to the side if necessary.