Category: Trees

To See A Tree: A naturalist’s journal of the Southern Appalachians. Our ambivalent and ignorant relationship with the natural world

The secret life of trees

She was such a beauty, her many arms curved gracefully to the sky like a dancer. The loveliest tree in the yard at our cabin. Unlike some of the older, taller trees, our scarlet oak seemed very healthy: straight of trunk, and with no fungus or weak spots. I looked forward to many more years of … read more The secret life of trees

Day 60: When looks are fatal

My cousin killed this perfectly innocent spider yesterday because it was scary-looking. Good thing she’s never seen me after a Jeep ride in a hard rain. I felt so bad for that spider. I thought about her all day. She had a bright jaggy-patterned back and striped legs – a beauty, in her own way. But she got zapped with … read more Day 60: When looks are fatal

Day 55: The September 1st breeze

When I moved to North Georgia, I noticed that there was a certain breeze that arrived every year around September 1. A breeze that was not fresh like the breezes of spring, or humid like the hot breezes of summer. A breeze that bites with ice. It’s distinct from the lovely breezes that start cooling off the … read more Day 55: The September 1st breeze

Day 54: Katy DID

I used to think that thunderous noise at night was cicadas, but I learned that it was katydids. Yes, those sweet-faced insects that look like a leaf. When there are thousands of them, they start to talk in rhythm, call-and-response. Some people think their debate goes: “Katy DID!” “Katy DIDN’T!” Whatever they are arguing about, it’s intense. … read more Day 54: Katy DID

Day 52: Abundance

Some of my fellow residents in this wooded mountain community have been concerned about the number of “webs” in the trees this summer. They’re referring to “webworms,” which look like thick masses of spider web but are actually cocoons for a whole nursery of caterpillars. One woman attacked with vigor: She swept and cut them … read more Day 52: Abundance

Day 46: Signs of the end

A couple days ago, I opened the front door and there they were: the reddening dogwood leaves. This is the first sign that summer is ending. The goldenrod is already out, and soon it will be the ironweed’s turn. A few other plants are taking on the red tinge, too. The basil is only wearily … read more Day 46: Signs of the end

Day 43: About breasts

Note: If you are less than 18 years of age, stop reading NOW and get permission from your parents to continue. Seems silly, right? But I don’t want to be sued for corrupting minors, or whatever the charge is when “offensive” content is published on the Internet. Though I’ve never been quite clear about why … read more Day 43: About breasts

Day 42: Sister Rain

I love a rainy day. It calms the mind, with its flow and its gentle patter. The drops break light into diamonds and glass. Especially I love rain when other people love it, too. Like when you’ve had a hot summer with not enough rain. Lately when I’ve been hiking, it makes me sad and a bit … read more Day 42: Sister Rain