I've blogged about so many things that grow here at Our Little Acre, but the trees have barely received a mention. I suppose we take them for granted because most of them have always been here and we largely ignore them when it comes to their care. Yet they are dependable and quietly go about their business of providing shade and a framework for the rest of the property. Quietly, until now. 
Think of autumn in the midwest and the first thing that comes to mind is the changing of the colors of the leaves. The shortening of days and the cooler temperatures signal them to make the changes that bring about the brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange that colors the landscape here in October.
Most of the larger trees in our yard are oaks. This was once the site of a small woods, which was cleared a bit when our house was built in 1975. We purchased the property in 1977 and one of the drawing factors for Romie was the many large trees. The one in our front yard is estimated to be at least 200 years old.
Over the years, we have added many others, including this maple (Acer sp.). Most of the year, you'd never give it a second glance, but in October, it literally screams, "Just look at me NOW!" Except for the burning bushes (Euonymus alatus), nothing is quite as beautiful as this maple, and I always look forward to the brilliant show of yellow it puts on. The maples are the ones we remember when we think of the fall change. They make the greatest color changes and there are lots of them around here. 
Two years ago, I was out enjoying the beauty of a fall day when I walked past the burning bush at the front corner of our house. This is just a hop, skip and a jump from the yellow maple, so it shouldn't be a surprise that I looked down and saw one of its leaves cradled in the red leaves of the shrub. I got my camera and the image I captured won the designation of "Sunday Snapshot of the Week" at WANE-TV in Ft. Wayne. That got me a free pizza! (And 15 seconds of fame on the Sunday night weather segment.)
Next up: Washington Hawthorne (Crataegus phaenopyrum)
"Bejeweled"
7 comments:
That certainly is a picture worthy of recognition. Beautiful!
We live where there are no mature trees in our yard and only a few way off in the distance. I never take mature trees for granted anymore, especially not in the fall.
I envy you your lovely trees.....we are surrounded by mostly pines, with precious few deciduous trees around us. We had a quaking aspen which we planted in the early 90's that just died this year. :-(
Your last photo is very nice....you should have gotten more than just a pizza out of that one...ha.
Aren't big trees just the best?!?! I just love them! And your photograph of the maple leaf on the burning bush deserved more than just a free pizza in my estimation. What a gorgeous photo! Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Now that you mention it, trees seem to get short shrift in blogs, flowers getting the lion's share of the attention. My guess would be that they are a bit difficult to photograph especially when it's a big tree. They're the backdrop or chorus and only when they are colorful in fall do they become stars.
Congrats on the Sunday Snap Shot even if it was 2 years ago. That picture is wonderful!!
I agree with ki that trees don't get the attention they deserve. But they stand proud as the back drop to the flowers. Thanks for sharing!!
Well deserved pizza. Those leaves look good enough to eat.
Gorgeous!
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