Cornus alternifolia and Acer pen(n)sylvanicum have been discussed/shown in the past, but I'm such a fan of both I can't resist posting a few pics. Pagoda Dogwood is in full flower and looks lovely. Mine is grown in more sun than probably either of us would like, and its considerably fuller than those I see in the wild.
Happy hour at the ol' Stamen & Pistil saloon.
I've got this native Snakebark Maple sited on the north side of a wooded ridge and it seems to be content. The dainty flowers are an added bonus.
Nicely done.
There used to be several older Cornus alternifolia in Cherokee Park here, that have succumbed to the ravages of time (read: mowers) that remind me exactly of your picture. They were a full 20 x 20 and really stood out when in bloom.
Looks like you're pistil-whipped.
Wow, the Pagoda Dogwood is a new one for me and it's beautiful. I have an unidenitifed Dogwood in my front yard. The leaves look the same but the form/shape of the tree is different - less round. If that's not the kind I have, I might would like to plant one anyway!
VV--Your experience is my concern. Not the mower part, but that it will start to decline just as it achieves mature size. That would be a heartbreaker.
Speaking of being whipped, looks like no trip to Kentucky this spring/summer. Much to my chagrin we decided to vist the Ozarks instead. Eureka Springs was fun, but I sure can't envision myself living there. Take a look at these trees from Springfield, Missouri. I thought a tornado had gone through but was told it was from ice. I've never seen such extensive & widespread damage to trees. I'm sure its a pretty area, but was kind of depressing to see such devastation. Made me appreciate what I've got a whole lot more.
Z-Plum--I've never been to Alabama, but they tell me it gets warm there. Is that a line from an old Three Dog Night song? Sorry, I digress. You'd want to find a cool spot for it as they suffer and are short-lived in open and hot sites. My boyhood hero (Hank Aaron) is from Mobile. He started his minor league baseball career in Eau Claire in '56. Just think what it must have been like for an 18 year old African American kid from Mobile being uprooted to Eau Claire in the mid 1950's. The guys that broke down the color barrier are the true sports heroes IMHO.
Bob
Here's another pic from Springfield. It was like this for about a 30-mile radius.
Bob,
Thanks for the info on the Dogwood. Not many trees and shrubs can take our heat so I'm glad you reminded me.
By the way, here is a link I think you migh enjoy: http://www.ballparkreviews.com/mobile/haaron.htm
Stephanie
Z--Thanks for sharing that site. I could waste hours looking at stadium reviews. Here's where Henry got his pro start.
http://www.ballparkreviews.com/eauclaire/eauclaire.htm
BobMack:
I don't think the decline of the pagoda dogwoods here had to do with size or age, just treatment. I would venture to say that this species is probably not destined to be a centenarian, though. It most likely falls in the same category as redbuds and other understory sized trees, relegated to be recycled over and over while the climax canopy persists for centuries.
Never fear...how else would you have room in your garden for that variegated weeping columnar apomictic remontant Ginkgo biloba dybbuk's destiny™?
