The next couple of months I am booked to do several programs on trees. Some of the best naturalist in the state of Ohio and beyond have formed my opinion on trees. That opinion has been further refined by numerous books and tree-tourism.
Whether the program is focused on trees for birds, or legacy trees, or trees for your yard, the admiration for trees should be obvious. Look to the side-bar on your right for more information about upcoming programs.
 |
| Richland Co. Ohio Big Tree Tour 2006 |
Steve McKee started my interest in big trees with a tour he put together in Richland County. One truism I have discovered by looking over 10 years or more of tree photos- people love to be photographed with a tree! We should start a #BigTree hash tag just to share all these magnificent photos.
If you are a birder, you might recognize the name on the cover of this book. David Sibley wrote and illustrated this excellent guide to trees. This is a broad, brush-strokes book. It might not have the details a botanist would want, but I love the artistic impressions and discoveries David portrays of American trees. It might give you some fresh perspectives, too.
 |
| Your blogger with a giant Eastern Hemlock in West Virginia. |
Trees make me happy. Big trees make me downright giddy. Maybe if we spent more time with big trees we would have a better understanding of our brief and temporary lifespan on this earth. This tree was around before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock; I hope is it still standing long after I am gone. It was an honor to spend time in the shadow of its greatness for one afternoon. It certainly had more impact on me, than I had on it.
If you, too, are interested in trees and would like to plant more habitat in your yard or local plot, please go to
Riverside Nursery's excellent web-app and see which native trees grow in your Ohio county. You will also want to factor in if your tree-site is wet or dry. It is all right there, based on
The Woody Plants of Ohio book by Dr. E. Lucy Braun.
Spring is coming! Let's get out and plants some native Ohio trees.
