And the leaves must fall.

elfidd / The Rooster

Dec 2

I've written previously about my Paulownia (or Princess tree.) They are a fast-growing tree that originated in the Orient. An interesting thing we've found over the years is that the tree loses its leaves each year with the first good frost.

Here is a great Bio on the PAULOWNIA TREE should you be interested.

Our tree after yesterday's (November 30, 2023) 22f-degree day.

Our tree is approximately fifteen years old. During its first few years, I cut it off at the roots several times with a mower while cutting the grass. Eventually, to save the tree I put a wire fence around the base for a year or so. The backside, not visible here was lost some time ago during a harsh winter. You're facing due north observing this image.

Within the past few weeks, we had to have an old Maple and a Black Walnut tree cut down.

The Black Walnut

The Maple

To give you some perspective on the size of these trees, the boom on the truck extends 94 feet. That portion of the Maple is hanging over our home, specifically, Mary Agnes' sewing studio/Quilt shop. She loved that Maple, especially the red buds that came out each year. The tree constantly harbored food for a myriad of Wood Peckers, Bats, Owls, and others throughout the seasons. As she sat in her studio watching the demise of an old friend, tears welled in her eyes, as a Barn Owl flew out of a large rotted portal and lit upon a close by Yellow Pine. "His home will be gone, no more screech during the night."

As you can see by looking at 2 o'clock on Maple's trunk, little support was left for the part hanging over the Little Woman's Quilt shop. I'm sure the Owl will find a new home and trees in the surrounding woods shall provide the necessary insects for the Woodpeckers.

As a side note, that is a Weeping Willow in the background. Appropriately named, as it was a gift from good friends in October of 2012 in memory of the passing of Mary Agnes' brother Bobbie. As the winds blow, the Willow weeps.

So, for now, a tree shall not fall upon our home on a highly windy day, I feared this during several weather events this past year. Nor-easters and tropical storms frequent the Maryland coast just 30 miles away. I shall sleep peacefully, my ear will not be tuned to the gust of the blowing wi

Should you be interested in just who makes their home in a tree trunk, check out ZOO NERDY.