October 20, 2013 I had finally figured out that the red buckeyes would never flourish in our dry, clay patch yard at home. So I carefully dug up the first one and put it into a pot to take to Booger Hollow. Its root had a funny kink, presumably from where I’d broken it as a seedling. I … read more The red buckeyes: In the forest
Category: Trees
To See A Tree: A naturalist’s journal of the Southern Appalachians. Our ambivalent and ignorant relationship with the natural world
The red buckeyes: Cruel hands
April 8, 2009 I’ve been reading a book called “Growing Trees from Seed,” by Henry Kock, which is filled with practical advice for growing native species of trees in North America. It’s a bit scary, too, because the author makes you aware of the various hazards to the health of a seed: chipmunks, slugs, soil … read more The red buckeyes: Cruel hands
The red buckeyes: An act of faith
This story begins seven years ago, with an act of faith. February 20, 2009 “I’m going to plant that red buckeye seed today,” I told Tom. Caught in my voice was that thin blade of iron resolution usually reserved for the worst tasks, like sweeping mounds of wet leaves off the decks. I had put … read more The red buckeyes: An act of faith
Secret garden
All along the road and trail, the ground was covered with black char. No green anywhere. So many of our drives and hikes in the Chattahoochee National Forest had been blighted by the sight of that fire. The U.S. Forest Service does annual prescribed burns in the Chattahoochee, and for many weeks afterwards hundreds of acres look barren … read more Secret garden
The patient iris
For all my love of nature, I’m a complete klutz when it comes to growing plants. They used to run away screaming at the very sight of me. The only house plant that survived my brown thumb was an indestructible ficus tree I had for years in Seattle. Flowers? Forget it. One day five years ago, … read more The patient iris
Pandas of the American forest
I just wanted to see one. My emotional state this afternoon needed a strong dose of nature, so I took a hike. And I was thinking about the showy orchid. I’d only seen one before, in all nine of my Appalachian springs. The orchid was an omen I longed for. Just one, to make me happy. I … read more Pandas of the American forest
The color of invasion
There it is – all along the highway and byways, from Atlanta into the North Georgia mountains – that only-in-springtime color combination – lavender and lime green. It’s the palette of perfume, misty rain and thrusts of life. It’s the color of invasion. It’s the war of wisteria against the youngest, freshest leaves of trees. … read more The color of invasion
Newborns
The dirt crumbles under my fingers. My hair is full of raindrops. Bright green laughs against the backdrop of the still-awakening forest. I laugh along and talk to them. “Little basils, I want to be sure you have enough room to grow. How about six of you in this planter box, would that be OK?” … read more Newborns
The corner pharmacy
I live in a rural community, 6 miles to the nearest grocery store, but a handy pharmacy just opened about 150 yards from my house. This place has a limited stock, but the price is right. Shown above is one of the specials in today’s grand opening: bloodroot, free for the taking. Five years ago, I took a … read more The corner pharmacy
The early spring
The weather’s been delightfully sunny, for March – 70s and even low 80s. The flowers jumped right up, fruit trees burst into blossom, and the carpenter bees began their war dance of mating – a full week or more before the official start of spring. I am astonished that it’s so warm I need to … read more The early spring