I pause for a moment and take a photo of the weeping beech. Its leaves have just fully expanded and are hardening off. What is striking about it is the tender new growth at the branch tips. Almost rubbery in quality, like licorice, it grows in an unusual zig-zag pattern repeated throughout the whole tree. Unusual for other trees, but not for this one, so I think that I want to write an article about new growth emerging in trees, and how some trees grow much faster than others.
There are other pictures I have taken as well that would work for such an article showing astonishing growth in a cottonwood (4 feet!), and similar growth in a sycamore (3 feet). Those photos are from March 14. The photo of the weeping beech is from May 15. I took some other photos of what I call the second wave of spring, showing the second flush of growth that some trees have after the initial burst in early spring that is usually followed by fruit production. Those photos are from June 25. “The second wave of spring”, I thought, would make a great title for another article.
Here we are on August 6 and neither of those made it out of my thoughts and onto my keyboard.
After the seeming sameness of winter, patterns start to flow; the landscape changes in texture and color almost constantly, like the earth is a giant kaleidoscope that changes the pattern with each turn. This isn’t readily noticed unless one is watching in the same general area, memory serving as a time lapse reel of images rising, blending, fading into something new. I have watched the raspberries bloom, set fruit, ripen, followed shortly after by the blackberries. Today they are in flower, tomorrow I am picking and sampling as I walk by. Earlier in June I have sampled the offering of different serviceberry trees, savoring very slight variations in flavor. These are plants that seem to go from flower to fruit almost overnight. Others play a longer game: pawpaw is one of the earliest bloomers in Ohio, the purplish, brownish flowers easily missed in early, early spring. Then the tiny fruits appear and begin to swell. By now they are the size of small mangos, and will grow even larger as they ripen. It’s hard to think the fruit will be ready for first tasting around the first or second week of September. That’s only a month away!
Through July I noticed ironweed flower buds starting to swell. “Those will be a nice purple in August”, I thought. Then last week I saw the first plant starting to bloom. Sure enough, it was July 31. Almost like that plant just could not wait for its turn to show off.
These markers of passing time give me a sense of peace. I’m not sure why, but I think it is the thought of a repeating pattern that reassures me. Patterns and cycles are attributes of Order, yet the order is not so strict that it stifles individual expression. Yes, ironweed flowers in August, but it may not be in the same spot each year, and some plants may just be so excited that they bloom a day early. Colors and textures rise and fall, moving around us quite predictably, yet with such variation from season to season.
Pattern. Cycles. Expression. Order.
Time will carry on. All is well. Soak in the sun, drink in the rain. Both are provided free of charge, and we have been given a moment in time and a body in space in order to enjoy it all. This is very good. Let’s not miss it.
Your friendly neighborhood arborist,
José Fernández | Regional Manager, Russell Tree Experts
José became an ISA Certified Arborist® in 2004, and a Board-Certified Master Arborist® in 2015. Currently he is enrolled at The Ohio State University pursuing a Master’s Degree in Plant Health Management. José likes working around trees because he is still filled with wonder every time he walks in the woods. José has worked at Russell Tree Experts since 2012.