greentapestry : Tree Following With Lucy ~ September 2014.

Friday 12 September 2014

Tree Following With Lucy ~ September 2014.


 Subtle changes are afoot on the willow front. Gazing up at my tree in the glorious sunshine yesterday I noticed that there are hints of yellow creeping into the leaves. As I watched there were soft rustling sounds as leaves slowly drifted down to the ground. Not enough to merit the word "flurry" but a definite coming adrift for some of the leaves that have clothed the tree since April. I wondered if the first leaves to appear are the first to fall but I suppose there's no way of establishing that theory.
I also noticed how smooth the surface of the branches are especially compared to the bark which graces the trunk. Lucy bought the smoothness to my attention when she commented on my tree following post last month.


A blue tit was sitting in the tree but flew off on hearing my approaching footsteps. Other than that no sign of wildlife although I'm sure it receives numerous visitors. Unfortunately I can't get close enough to the tree to look for smaller creatures. I had not considered this factor when I made my decision about which tree to follow!

In other willow news I've broken my self imposed embargo of trying not to buy any news books this year. After all this purchase has been made in the interest of serious scientific research. The book concerned is Willow by Alison Syme. It looks a most fascinating book. I have only dipped into it so far, but am looking forward to reading it thoroughly and to sharing some willow snippets with other tree followers over the next few months. The book is one of Reaktion's Botanical series. The publisher describes the series as the "first of its kind, integrating horticultural and botanical writing with a broader account of the cultural and social impact of trees, plants and flowers". Other tree titles include yew, oak, pine with a new book on the subject of the apple tree coming out next month.

Thanks as always to Lucy over at 'Loose And Leafy', who came up with the excellent idea of a monthly post in which bloggers follow the progress of a specific tree over a year. I must check whether there are any other willow watchers out there.

22 comments:

  1. I adore my willow trees, particularly the sound of their rustling from the windows above my desk, I am an avid tree follower myself! :)

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    1. The rustle and creaking is fabulous Katie although sadly since suffering storm damage a couple of years ago our tree no longer makes as much music.

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  2. Your tree is looking good; willows are such graceful trees. I am looking forward to hearing about your book, it sounds very interesting.

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    1. The book looks most inviting Chloris - just waiting for the long dark nights to read it.

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  3. me too, content around our trees gives them a deeper layer of interest.

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    1. Thanks for visiting and for your comment Diana. I hope that my willow is content :)

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  4. The book sounds good Anna. Look forward to hearing more about willows as they are one of my favourite trees.

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    1. Cathy I will no doubt be relating lots of willow tales later in the year when there is less to say about my tree.

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  5. I've noticed that the trees are losing their green colour now and looking rather washed out, autumn is on the way. Flighty over at Flighty's Plot http://flightplot.wordpress.com/ is following a beautiful willow by the gate of his allotment site.

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    1. Yes the trees seem to have started shedding their summer garb early this year Jo. Thanks for telling me about another willow follower :)

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  6. Lucy has a lot to answer for, indirectly encouraging you to break your book-buying embargo! The sycamores are starting to regularly rustle with the fall of leaves, so much so that I will soon have to investigate whether I can get the leaf blower/sucker/chopper thing working. I want leaf-mold!

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    1. I like your logic Janet - I can blame Lucy rather than my willpower or in this case lack of it. Hope that you succeed with your leaf mould mission.

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  7. I do love willows, they are just so graceful. You're so very lucky to have room for one.

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    1. Thanks for visiting Paula and for your comment. The willow is indeed most graceful especially in its weeping form. This one actually sits just outside the boundary of our garden so we do not have to accommodate it :)

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  8. quite the beautiful delicate tree! : )

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    1. Thanks for your visit and comment Kif - its delicate appearance belies quite a tough character.

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  9. Katherine Swift told us she is writing another book - but struggling, so you won't need to worry about the temptation of another book this year!

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    1. Oh but I do Cathy - there's a new book on snowdrops coming out next month :)

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  10. That range of books sounds really interesting. My bookcase is groaning under the weight of books but I haven't bought any for ages so will have to take a look. I've noticed hints of yellow creeping into the leaves but the weather has been so mild that I think autumn has been delayed a bit. I do love willows. We used to live by the Thames in Wind in the Willows country and there were some beautiful specimens along the river.

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    1. Oh what a lovely spot to live WW - I can just see Ratty and Toad on a day out boating up/down river, going past you sitting out in the garden, book in one hand and cool drink in t'other :)

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  11. There are so many leaves to fall, I can't think how they will not overwhelm you. Come to think of it - given how many leaves there are - where do they all go? Why are we not all buried alive under leaves? (The book sounds good.)

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    1. A most excellent point Lucy and yet another one of life's unsolved paradoxes :)

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.