Two day Get-a-Way

Michele and I finally got away for a couple of days. We went first to Hocking Hills in SE Ohio, and then for a quick visit to a very nice garden in Zanesville called Mission Oaks. I got a few nice pictures of some things. Hocking Hills is a unique ecosystem for Ohio. Kind of a land that time forgot, I think. It is a series of shallow gorges and chocked full of some of the most beautiful Tsuga canadensis you'll ever see. Here's an overview shot.

Scott

Many are clinging to the sides of rock cliffs, truly defying gravity. Here's a shot of some roots that a bit more secure. Never mind that girl, she's just my wife.

Scott

Here is a cool oak. Can someone help me ID it?

Scott

Hocking Hills is beautiful--I remember going there a few years ago with my mom and sisters (back when I used to live in your neck of the woods) and it was quite unlike anything else I'd seen in Ohio.

Now, for Mission Oaks. If you are ever in the Zanesville area, which is 50-60 miles SW of Columbus, you must visit this fine garden. Here is a shot of Davidia involucre. Not a great picture, but proof that this tree can be done in the Midwest.

Scott

And a really neat plant, Abies concolor Candicans, or something like that. Anybody know the right name and spelling?

Scott

Here's an Acer triflorum in full sun, full exposure, no wind protection and without any scorching.

Scott

And to finish up, the biggest Styrax obassia I've ever seen.

Scott

"Not a great picture, but proof that this tree can be done in the Midwest."

Well, at least in the southern most section of the midwest. I think we should decree that z6 (6b no less) not be included in the midwest. Its a matter of basic fairness and just not right. ;) BTW, how is it that you're 6b and ViburnumValley is 5b?

And how is it that you brought that big ugly lug along on your trip up here, instead of your lovely wife? Huh?

Guy S.

Maackia:

Technically, you guys started out as the Northwest Territory, or something like that. Midwest in reference to WI is an afterthought.

I'm 5b because I'm at about 1000 feet elevation with no city heat sink or river valley in sight, and it reached -28ºF here in January 1994. You know, the windswept barren Bluegrass? Decrepit hangs out in the balmy greater Northern KY metropolis of Cincinnati with that big old Ohio River moderating his climate. A veritable midwest Côte d'Azur.

Guy:

Well, Marianne had to work, and Scott was the only one gullible enough to travel with me, sight unseen.

You are correct sir! Wisconsin was part of the NW Territory from 1787-1800. The most painful chapter in our history is being included (I think at gunpoint) in the Illinois Territory from 1809-1818.

Great picture of the White Fir cone. Are there any other conifers that hold their cones in such a proud fashion?

OK, now cheese is gonna hit the fan. We'd of rather been controlled by the French than be tied to ill. I'm guessing that folks from the land of Lincoln (that's why he was so depressed all the time) upon losing Wisconsin felt about the same as Red Sox fans losing Babe Ruth to the Yankees. Arrrr

Wanna have a corn fight?

Resorting to WMD's (weapons of maize destruction) is madness. I'm waving the white flag.

Good decision! I would throw acorns at you next, but they might get stuck in the cheese!!! Then again, it's too hot to throw anything at anybody -- I think you're safe.

I should have included "other than Abies" in my question. Hopefully Resin will sort this out for us.

How about Cedrus? And I'm sure there are others. Hey Dax, get in here!

Guy S.

Hey, Scott, what do you mean the A. triflorum is in full sun? It looks like the telephone pole and overhead lines are throwing some serious shade on it. ;)

Mine is on its 2nd summer here and scorch has been a persistent problem. Mike/Tree Lover (Minneapolis) said his outgrew this problem after a couple of years, so I'm optimistic that next year will be a tad cooler and this will not be a problem. I'll wait one more year before deciding if it needs to be moved.

Yeah, the sole reason I took that picture, posted it here, and included the no-scorch comment was because of the discussion you guys have been having on the Acer nikoense thread. I don't even think this tree (actually there was a line of four or five of them) is even in a place that receives irrigation. Obviously, this is not a mature tree; I do not know what size it was and how long ago it was planted, but it would seem that once the tree is established that scorch should not be an issue.

Scott