Tree Following: Wrapping Up The Linden

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He who plants a tree
Plants a hope.
~Lucy Larcom, “Plant a Tree”

 

 

 

My little American Linden tree continues to grow a bit each year.  This year, I did not see the flowers or fruit I have seen in past years, but it did have to endure a very cold and windy winter so I am grateful it is still alive.  I decided to do a wrap up post as the leaves are gone, and we are literally wrapping the tree up to protect it from critters…..deer and rabbits love the young bark.

tree-logoSince I did an extensive post on this tree already, some lovely fall pictures will tell its story from September to November.

 

Tree following is the product of Lucy at her Loose and Leafy blog.  The native tree I have been watching was planted to replace a mighty white ash that was felled.  

 

 

 

 

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 In early September, the American Linden leaves just began to lighten their green color as seen here, and in the picture at the top of the post.  As you can see, it is a favorite spot for spiders to build their webs.

 

 

 

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Here’s a closer view of the web from mid-tree (leaves) to the ground.

 

 

 

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 And an even closer look!

 

 

 

fog and webs

You can see the leaves are used as a support by the spider for its web….the edges starting to turn a reddish-brown as we got closer to October.

 

 

 

early sept leaves

As October began, the leaves were more yellow.

 

 

 

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A close up view, and you can see a leaf cutter bee was using some of the leaves in their nest.  Or perhaps a caterpillar of the Lepidoptera family (Red and White Admirals, Fritillary, Swallowtails, Skippers to name a few) had a snack before they cocooned.  This tree is a larval host to many butterflies and moths.

 

 

 

late sept leaves

Mid to late October the leaves were quickly shifting from yellow to brown.  Because the Linden is so young, the leaves do not have a long display before they wither and drop.

 

 

 

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When I went over to the lake across the street in early November, the American Lindens were still a lovely yellow and just beginning to brown.  This is what my tree will look like in maybe 10 years.  And you can see the fruit was dried and setting seed.  This is the fruit my tree did not produce this year.

 

 

 

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This is what my tree’s leaves looked like as November started.  The storms ripped these leaves from the tiny branches.

 

 

 

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And left these bare branches.  It is early to see my Linden bare compared to the lake Lindens.  But it is all set for winter, and has already set its buds for next spring.  I love the positive attitude of this tree.  It is ready and raring to go come spring.  I hope it has an easier winter this year.

 

 

 

Are you following a tree this year?  What is your favorite tree in late autumn?

 

 

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In A Vase On Monday 

 

 

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For November, I had some Tagetes flowers left in containers.  I grew these from seed.  They still looked wonderful due to our warm spell.  Added to these flowers, were some grape leaves and Meadowsweet or Filipendula ulmaria seed heads I found while cleaning up the garden.

 

 

 

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I cut some elderberries to add more autumn color, as well as the gorgeous foliage of Hardy Hibiscus or Hibiscus moscheutos to give support and color around the base of the arrangement.  I like the Thanksgiving holiday look of this vase.

 

I am joining in with a few memes this week as I prepare this vase:  Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful meme, In a Vase on Monday, Today’s Flowers hosted by Denise@An English Girl Rambles and Judith@Lavender Cottage who hosts Mosaic Monday.

 

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Next up on the blog:  

Thursday, I will have an excerpt linking to a surprise post on my other blog, Living from Happiness.  And Monday, I will have another Stuck Foot post.

I am linking in with Michelle for her Nature Notes meme at her blog Rambling Woods.  It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every week. 

 

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I am also joining in I Heart Macro with Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday.

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