Oaks and More at Crothers Woods: December 2021

At this time of year there are no wildflowers but there still is much beauty to be found. A cold weather walk in the woods reminds me of a visit to an art gallery. There is something lovely everywhere you look but it is not as easy to spot.

Oaks dominate Crothers Woods. Red Oaks are medium-sized trees which can grow up to 25 metres in height and 150 years in age.

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

White Oak can grow to 35 metres in height and live to be several hundred years old.

White Oak (Quercus alba)
White Oak (Quercus alba)
White Oak (Quercus alba)
White Oak (l) and Red Oak (r) leaves
White Oak (Quercus alba)

Bur Oaks feature corky ridges on the twigs.

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Crothers Woods views:

evidence of insects under bark

Other botany:

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Beaked Hazel (Corylus cornuta)
Highbush-cranberry (Viburnum opulus)
Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Red-osier (Cornus sericea)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Teasle (Dipsacus fullonum)
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
White Pine (Pinus strubus)

NATURE POETRY

Behold, the morning-glory’s sky-blue cup
Is mine wherewith to drink the nectar up 
That morning spills of silver dew,
And song upon the winds that woo
And sigh their vows
Among the boughs!                              – Alexander Posey (1873–1908)

Miles Hearn

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