Trees are the spirits of a garden and the lungs of our earth. ~Sharon Lovejoy
The cold spring kept the trees from doing much. It took 2 months for the maple I am following to flower fully and leaf 
out. And then I ran out of time to show much of the growth and changes of my maple tree. So I thought I would do a longer post to show how the silver maple comes alive in spring.
I am linking in with Lucy@Loose and Leafy’s Tree Following meme that happens around the 7th of every month.
I really love all the marks, scars and interesting views I see especially when the leaves are not out yet. I noticed the lovely heart, in the above shot, that has developed on the front of the tree. And without the leaves, it is easy to see who is visiting this special tree.
Here are what the flowers look like when they are fully open. The last picture is when the flowers fade. In a hard rain they will be washed from the trees leaving room for the leaves to bud.
Here are the buds just opening. The colors are similar to what they look like in fall. And I love the Chartreuse color of the early leaves.
As I have mentioned I love the lichen. It is very colorful when the bark is wet. I often wonder what the many colors mean and will have to explore a bit more.
Is this a belly button on my tree? What causes these little warts and bumps? Did the tree lose a branch?
This is the back view of the tree facing north. A view I rarely see. You can see the dried moss as the bark had been dry for a while in early spring.
Why does my tree have flower buds in fall and all winter, and flowers earlier than the other maple but they leaf out at the same time. I would suspect that the larger ash trees have created a microclimate around this maple in fall and winter.
These male birds enjoyed hanging out in the maple tree calling and serenading their mates. Sorry the oriole’s head was obscured.
And here is what the tree looked like in mid to late May and early June as the leaves now obscure the branches and the birds from my sight.
And the leaves continue to grow and multiply even in summer. Not sure if those spots on the lower leaf are the tar spot starting or some insects.
Leaves glistening just this week after a rainy day as summer begins.
What tree are you following? What is your favorite tree in your garden right now?
“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.”
― Chad Sugg
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Next up on the blog: Monday I will be reviewing what has been happening in the June garden.
I am linking in with Michelle@Rambling Woods for her Nature Notes meme. It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Tuesday.
I hope you will join me for my posts once a month at Beautiful Wildlife Garden. My most recent post is up already.
I can also be found blogging once a month at Vision and Verb.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2014. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.
Beautiful tree, it merited a longer post. All I know about lichen is that the air must be pure for it to grow, so that’s a good thing.
Christina, I did not know that about lichen, but it makes me feel good to know I must have pretty good air since there is a lot of lichen continuing to grow. I’ll have to research the lichen for a future post. Thanks!
I love the heart of that tree, Donna! I learned in class that trees heal off/engulf all their wounds – belly buttons. I always love the lichens that seem to grow specifically on Maple trees. I wonder if that is true – that Maples attract more lichens? Something to research.
Great info Kathy and I will have to research the lichens on maple trees for sure now….too curious not too!!
It looks so lovely after the rain Donna. And I love the heart in the first photo! My favourite tree at the moment is our Douglas Fir, which has fresh green shoots and looked so happy after the rain last week!
I agree Cathy I love it after it rains with all the deep color of the brown bark as a backdrop for the lichen. Douglas firs are such noble trees and my they smell heavenly…just like Christmas all year!
Oh gee… I didn’t do a tree post last month and don’t have one ready…will look into that….lovely post and photos Donna
Not to worry you have been busy…Lucy will have the Linky up on Monday so you have some time even after that if you want. Love to see how yours is doing. Glad you enjoyed my catching up with my tree.
Our ash trees are the ones with a wonderful tapestry of lichen. So green when it has rained.
Your ash trees sound lovely Diana…mine do not seem to have lichen. I too love lichen after the rain.
great post, Donna. I too love the marks and scars on old trees. It reminds me of humans ageing and having marks and scars to show for it. Time gives character.
I agree that scars and lines on trees remind me of wrinkles of well worn people who have earned their lines and are admired for their character….lovely thoughts!
I love watching the maple trees leaf-out. I see it as one of the first signs of spring.
I agree Charlie. They have such lovely flowers and leaves as they begin again every spring.
Lichen does have many colors, it would be good to know why. I like the maples in early spring, the sun backlighting them makes them look like they are on fire.
Absolutely Donna…a beautiful sight every day as the sun rises especially in my garden…I plan to research the lichen and do a post…I find it so fascinating!
There is something about trees, especially maples, that I just adore, Donna. Joyce Kilmer’s “I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree” comes to mind often. Birches and aspens are also favorites…but whenever I see a weeping willow, I just melt into the ground! I’m glad to say I see them often here in Dutchland. 🙂
Weeping willows remind me of my childhood as I would see them along that creek that was near our house. But maples hold a special place in my heart as they are gorgeous from early spring through late fall changing colors. Glad you can see your favorite tree often Ginnie!
I adore the quote about trees
(lungs of the earth…swoon)
and all of the beauty you share
and how you connect with your growing things.
So good for this ticker of mine:)
thanks,
Jennifer
It makes me happy that my post has touched your heart Jennifer!! You inspire me with all the beauty you share!
How nice you’re following a tree, Donna. An interesting idea. I’ve never done this before. Maybe something I should try in the future. It really forces one to observe details about nature that could be otherwise missed.
I agree Loredana…it does help one notice more details and question what we see….I have enjoyed it thus far!
A very interesting post Donna. We have a very large maple tree that is just feet from my bathroom window and I love watching how it changes through the seasons.
Thanks Karen…I do find maples are one of the prettiest as each season progresses and the bark is lovely too!!
Hi Donna! I love trees’ bark and trunks as much as I love their leaves. Your maple tree has a character!
I thought it had character too tatyana which is why I chose it. I look at it everyday and discover new things about it. So glad you enjoyed my tree.
Good to read about your Silver Maple. My tree is a Silver Birch! I love the way you do your ‘mosaic’ panels of photos on the post. Lovely presentation.
Thank you so much Caroline….I will pop over to see your Silver Birch!
I enjoyed seeing the various stages and changes, via beautiful photos.
Hollis sorry it took so long to reply but I found your comment stuck in Spam…now that I approved it you can reply freely. So nice of you to visit. Glad you enjoyed the views of the maple tree.
Donna I love that first photo of the heart, how lovely, your tree looks beautiful in all it’s stages, glad you posted them, lichen is said to be a sign of good air quality as it does not grow in polluted air, I have lots here and tried to look some of them up but the number of different types left me feeling over whelmed so I gave up, in your belly button photo I see a face in silhouette, the eye the dark patch at the top left, with a squashed nose and pouting mouth, I know, weird, Frances
I love the face silhouette you see in the one photo…trees have so much character and seem to change…I find I see something new almost daily…hopefully I may be able to learn a thing or 2 about lichen and will post about it with my tree next month. Thanks Frances!
A lovely post about a lovely tree. I love the bark and the lichen too. And those gorgeous birds!
I really enjoyed it, thank you.
So wonderful that you enjoyed the tree Chloris…it is a very interesting tree much loved by the wildlife here.
actually good to have a longer post mixing the season as I can see the changes so much the better in your maple. Holds its foliage so elegantly but most fascinating are the flowers. That top image must be heartwood!
Love it…heartwood! It was great for me to see how the tree progressed and I do like the longer posts as you know 🙂
It’s a tree that can’t escape its history – what has happened throughout its life marked on the outside as well as on its inner rings. That browny tinge on the new leaves – they are beautiful at that stage; sort of sticky looking and glossy.
I agree Lucy…it wears its scars beautifully reminding me of myself 🙂
The photo of your tree in bloom may have helped me to identify a tree in my yard. Will check back after it leafs out to see how it compares! Lovely photos!
Thanks for letting me know Heidi…I hope it does indeed help and let me know what you find out.
Will do! Thanks!