Thursday, April 22, 2010

Trees

My favorite tree in Barnwell.
This old Sycamore stands proudly in an empty lot up town.


Once upon a time long time ago, I grew up on the beach… well two blocks off of it, but close enough. Behind one of our neighbors home was a huge Pine tree we called the Curly Pine, for years I wondered if it was really the curly pine or the Curlee Pine which was the neighbor’s name. Even some 38 years after leaving there, I still remember the feeling of coming home after being gone and seeing that big Pine which signaled we were almost home.

One of my favorite places with trees was my grandparent’s home in Polk County, Florida. Their land was full of trees including several varieties of Palms, Live Oaks and this one huge Monkey Puzzle Tree, they also had an old fashioned formal garden that is so rare to find today. Full of flowers and plants from around the world and native to Florida it was a wonderful sight to behold…
One of the first things my brother and I did once we arrived at our grandparent’s home in Florida was run through the grass to the “garden”. Under the shade of Live Oak, Avocado, and Paperbark Trees we would hide and play and sometimes just sit and image worlds so far away.

I have always been a tree lover and well at times a tree hugger, not that I’ve ever chained myself to a tree but I wished I had… several years ago in the middle of the night our local town had mature oaks cut down from around the circle to make improvements. Seemed that they felt a more cohesive look was needed and the older trees just didn’t fit in the scheme of things. Every time I ride around the circle and see the new trees and landscaping my heart mourns the loss of those old trees.

I have seen trees that I wished I could have talked to; a 400 year old Oak in St. Augustine Florida, a massive Buckeye in Wiscasset Maine and that beautiful dead tree I found on Pinckney Island. Imagine the stories they could tell.



Close up of Sycamore trunk and a fresh coat of Spring leaves.



Old growth Pines in our front yard, we are blessed to  have 5 of these beauties.



Alas,this tree was not allowed to live as long as mine...
 it and hundreds, perhaps thousands of it's friends were slaughtered for pulp.



While this beautiful tree was allowed to die a natural death.
 Even after life, its beauty lives on.

18 comments:

Suburban Girl said...

I love the bark on the Sycamore tree. It really is pretty!

Pblacksaw said...

I love trees.. We dread the thought that soon the power company will come here and cut some of ours.. had we know they would move power lines to our side of the dirt road we would have planted them further back.. They wittled on some of our old oaks a few years ago.. I was out there in the way.. fussing and being ugly..

Great post!
Patsy

Anonymous said...

I love the bark on the Sycamore too. We have a River Birch in our yard and I love that tree. Those shot of dead trees are sad by make for good interest pics. Your place in Florida sounds so wonderful. Blessings
QMM

spiritsoflena said...

The last photo is very sculptural, like it could be in a gallery.

Pauline said...

I think that sycamore tree is going to feature as a favourite for lots of us. With bark like that I would just have to touch it. Hug it even! :)

Lovely shoot out!

Gordon said...

Anyone that love trees is okay in my book. You are exceptional. Great shots.
The verification word is litypine. How appropriate.

Jama said...

You have such huge and gorgeous trees in your area. Over here most trees are pruned regularly unless those in the jungle. but nothing looks like your trees over there.

Kerry said...

We have a few sycamores here, and I think they have such a unique look. Thanks for sharing!

gigi said...

Beautiful trees, I never grow tired of looking at trees. HAve a blessed weekend.

Barry said...

The last two photos are very poignant reminders of the preciousness of trees and their vulnerability, for all their longevity and strength.

NanU said...

Just lovely, Claire. My favorite is the one of the leaves against the sycamore trunk. Wonderful bark!

slim pickins said...

I posted some sycamores as well - I love the photo of the bark. I really appreciate them especially in the winter when everything else around here is kind of gray...I love the weathered bones of the tree in the last photo.

farmlady said...

THe first and the last photos..., beautiful!
We had a Sycamore in our front yard when we were growing up. I have fond memories of that tree.
The last is the way of all things. It's a wonderful photo.

Chef E said...

Lovely from beginning to end, I guess I thought it was about Earth Day, lol, oh well my tree is a wee one!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Did you sit under the spreading of the old oak tree with your sweet heart?

Unknown said...

awesome shoot out!! my fav is the sycamore trunk with the new leaves. too bad some think destroying mature trees for some little sprigs is progress.

shabby girl said...

Very nice, and I love the old pines! Sycamores are just fantastic, aren't they?

A Scattering said...

This is my first visit to your blog and I love it - I'm a Follower now! Your tree post is lovely, your narrative is sweet and touching.

I have friends who live in New Brunswick but spent January, February and March in Surfside, SC. Is that anywhere near you?