The forest transforms itself in the winter and to help celebrate the trees' persistence during the winter months we turn to the poets William Carlos Williams, Margaret Widdemer, and Issa for inspiration.
Poems about Trees in Winter
Trees are Poetry
Poets Joyce Kilmer and Joy Harjo explore the connection between poetry and trees in their poems "Trees" (Kilmer) and "Speaking Tree" (Harjo).
NW’s Nature Digest #1
In this week's digest, we have four news items on three different topics: trees, bird photography, and moths. Enjoy!
Lilacs
Lilacs, besides being truly beautiful plants to look at, have their roots firmly planted in human history through poetry and literature.
Chokecherry
As the flowers from the Pin Cherry tree drop away, the white flowers of the Chokecherry emerge to take their place on the landscape. The woody plant known as Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) grows as a shrub or small tree under 30 feet in height. It often grows in dense thickets and in damp, rich soils. ... Continue Reading →
Sit Spot Haiku – Apple blossom
An apple tree bloomsOn a forgotten road Time has passed us by It is said that New England established its first cultivated apple orchard in 1623. The location of the orchard was Beacon Hill in Massachusetts. The apple that was grown was called The Baldwin. Apple trees soon became a staple of the New England... Continue Reading →
Cherry Blossoms
How many, many things They call to mind These cherry blossoms! ~Matsuo Basho Japan-Guide.com In Basho's home country of Japan there are over one hundred varieties of cherry trees. The most popular cherry tree in Japan is known as Somei Yoshino. The Somei Yoshino was heavily cultivated in Tokyo during the Edo Period, which is... Continue Reading →
American Beech – ID Sheet
Common Name: American Beech Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia Other Names: North American Beech Identification: Smooth gray bark50-70 feet tall with rounded crownAlternate leave growthLeaves are elliptical, single toothed, and dark greenLeaves often stay on the tree during the winter Habitat: Grows in mix hardwood forestFound in moist or loamy soilsGrows in coastal areas and up... Continue Reading →
Paper Birch – ID Sheet
Common Name: Paper Birch Scientific Name: Betula papyrifera Other Names: Canoe Birch. White Birch Identification: Thin white bark that peals in paper like layersLeaves are oval to triangular in shape. 2-4 inches longLeaves have double serrated edgesAlternate ArrangementFlowers in April-June60 to 100 feet tall Habitat: Paper Birches are know as pioneer species meaning that it... Continue Reading →
Naturalist Weekly 