A Year With the Trees

Big Leaf Magnolia - Magnolia macrophylla

2026-08-30T16:54:47.403-04:00

Magnoliaceae - Magnolia Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 61
Bigleaf Magnolia
Magnolia macrophylla

Spring

I will need to get out and photograph the Bigleaf Magnolia.. Check back.

Summer

The Bigleaf Magnolia has the largest leaf of any native tree in the Southern Appalachians. These leaves can grow to be three feet long!

Fall

I will get out and photograph this amazing Bigleaf Magnolia.

Winter

The Bigleaf Magnolia

This tree lives by the road that leads up to my house. The buds are so interesting; they are white and fuzzy, pointy with a blunted end and so beautiful. Big leaf magnolia is an endangered species in the wild. It is interesting that this tree will start to flower when it is just 3 feet high. This tree grows to be 40-50 feet high.

The Magnolia trees are a symbol of magnificence and beauty. One look at the Magnolia's buds, flowers, and seed cones, and I could see why they are considered symbols of magnificence and beauty.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world" John Muir

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Rosebay Rhododendron - Rhododendron maximum

2026-07-29T18:23:32.794-04:00

Ericaceae - Heath Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 28
Rosebay Rhododendron
Rhododendron maximum

Spring

The Rosebay Rhododendron - Rhododendron maximum

This Rosebay Rhododendron lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

Summer

Rosebay Rhododendron, Rhododrendon maximum

The White and Pink White Flowers of the Rosebay Rhododendron were blooming all over Asheville and the mountains around the city when I took this photo in June. The best place to go to see this tree is the Appalachian mountains. The Pisgah National forest is filled to the brim with these beautiful trees. The Smokey Mountains National Park is another great location.

The mountain I live on was covered in blooms that look just like this. They are clusters of five petaled flowers.

Tonight, as I am typing this post, the summer sounds are all around me. I have the windows open and the night insects are singing very loudly. I love this sound and I will enjoy it while it lasts, for soon enough it will be gone. The night sound is the music of the katydids, crickets, cicadas, and tree frogs.

Fall

Rosebay Rhododendron in November

Winter

The Rosebay Rhododendron. Photo by Robert Priddy
http://www.robertpriddyphoto.com/

The Rosebay Rhododendron.

Rosebay Rhododendron June 2026

Priddy Woods

Today is the Rosebay Rhododendron Day. I love the beauty of this tree in June.

The Rosebay Rhododendron always reminds me to look, to be still each and every day in nature. I encourage you to be still long enough to see it. Thank you Rosebay Rhododendron.

Haiku to the Rosebay Rhododendron

White and Pink flowers

The Rosebay Rhododendron

June on the mountain

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Catawba Rhododendron - Rhododendron catawbiense

2026-07-27T09:46:18.978-04:00

Ericaceae - Heath Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 27
Catawba Rhododendron
Rhododendron catawbiense

Spring

The Catawba Rhododendron

The flowering rhododendrons make great habitats for wildlife. The flower nectar and the year-round cover are two of the most important reasons why. So plant some native rhododendrons, and you can help provide some wildlife habitats for many species of birds and small mammals. These rhododendrons grow the best at over 3,500 feet in elevation. Rhodos likes to live on rocky slopes and ridges, as well as naturally treeless areas called heath balds.

The Asheville Botanical Gardens, Roan Mtn. in Tennessee, The Great Smokey Mtn. National Park, and Mt. Pisgah and Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway are some of my favorite places for seeing these incredible flowers during May and June.

Summer


The Catawba Rhododendron

The Catawba Rhododendron

The Catawba Rhododendron is known as one of the most beautiful small trees or large shrubs in North America. The leaves of this tree are more rounded on the bases and bluntly rounded on the tips. This is what distinguishes this Rhododendron from the Rosebay Rhododendron.

The Catawba Rhododendron. Photo by Robert Priddy

The leaves are evergreen and leathery, and the underside of the leaves are hairless. The flowers bloom in large bouquets and are pink or purple. The peak of the flower season varies from elevation to elevation. The flowers are usually quite beautiful in June.

This species is usually found at an elevation of 3,500 0r above. You can find this tree along Newfound Gap road in the Great Smokey Mtn. National Park. You can also find this tree in abundance at Roan Mtn. State Park in Tennessee where there is a Rhododendron festival every June.

Fall

Catawba Rhododendron in late September

Winter

Catawba Rhododendron

The large evergreen leaves will be rolled into themselves on most cold winter days.
In this image, the winter Catawba Rhododendron is pulling into itself. It was only 12 degrees F when I took this image of the Rhododendron on the mountain in my neighborhood.

The Champion Catawba Rhododendron lives in the Great Smokey Mtn. National Park. It is 25 feet high and has a circumference of 15 inches.

Today is July 27, 2026, Today’s tree to visit is the Catawba Rhododendron. I am happy to say that many Catawba rhododendron live where I live. They are so beautiful and full of life right now.

Hiaku to the Catawba Rhododendron

Red and pink blossoms

Appalachian summer time

Glowing on the ridge

For the love of the trees,

Becky

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth, find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." Rachel Carson

Sourwood - Oxydendrun arboreum

2026-07-26T16:35:14.276-04:00

Ericaceae - Heath Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 26
Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboreum

Spring

The Spring Sourwood Tree. Image by Robert Priddy.
http://www.robertpriddyphoto.com/

Summer

Sourwood Tree in Summer

The beautiful white flowers on the sourwood tree are bell shaped and all in a row. As I took this photo today, the bees were busy collecting nectar to make their sourwood honey. Some of the leaves are even starting the color change to red. This tree is the first to change colors. In the photo you can see how the red in peeking through.

Sourwood summer leaves

Fall

Sourwood Tree in the Fall

October and the Sourwood tree; it does not get much prettier. These trees are the ones with the burnt-red colored leaves and the gently-bending grooved-barked trunks.

Winter

The Sourwood Tree

This tree is also called Lily of the Valley or Sorrel Tree. It can grow to 60 feet tall. The bark is so distinctive in the winter. The young green leaves in the spring are beautiful. Just you wait till you know the beauty of this tree in the summer and fall, oh my goodness. This is a native tree of America. The leaves taste sour, thus the name. Tea is made from the leaves to quench thirst, and honey made from the flowers is a gift from heaven above.

Evening light on the Sourwood Tree

The Distinctive deeply grooved Bark makes the sourwood tree stand out in the winter. The way the sourwood tree leans is another way to identify the sourwood tree in the winter. A teacher once told me that this is the artist's tree because the graceful curve of the truck and branches are so beautiful.

Today is July 26, 2026, I have been journaling about the sourwood tree today. I live in the woods with a very big Sourwood tree near my house. It is so big and strong and blows in the wind today. I wrote a Haiku to the sourwood today.

Your leaves rest my eyes

Your trunk bends in many curves

You are an artist

May you all find a sourwood tree to visit and journal about and may you sample the honey the bees make from the sourwood flowers. The honey is such a delight

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Winged Elm - Ulmus alata

2026-06-28T15:27:58.893-04:00

Ulmaceae - Elm Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 90
Winged Elm Tree
Ulmus alata

Spring

Winged Elm in the Smokies by Robert Priddy

This tree is an blooms early in spring. The winged Elm flowers appear before the leaves. These flowers are called perfect flowers; for they have both male and female parts. The fruit, which is called a samara, develops after pollination from the flower. The fruit has one seed and is eaten by birds, for it one of the first foods in the spring that grows on trees. The leaf buds open after the flowers. The leaf buds are a food source for deer.

This tree ususally has corky ridges on the branches.

Haiku to a winged Elm

Wings on the branches,

Alternately the wings grow -

Golden in the fall.

Summer

TheWinged Elm in early Summer

The leaves of the Winged Elm are toothed, small, and grow alternately on the corky twigs. By this time of year, all the leaves are fully grown and green.

This Winged Elm leaf has fallen from the tree probably during a summer rainstorm and turned prematurely yellow.

The early fruits and young leaves of this tree are important wildlife food. This tree usually grows up to 80 feet and can live over a hundred years of more if not affected by the Dutch Elm disease.

Fall

This is a closeup I took of the Winged Elm at the North Fork of the White River in Arkansas.
You can really see why it is called the Winged Elm.

The branches of this tree have wings.

Winter

The Winged Elm - Ulmus alata

This Winged Elm lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. http://www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/
Notice how the buds look lacey in this picture and how the wings on the stems stand out.

The Winged Elm - Ulmus alata

The Champion Winged Elm Tree

The champion winged elm tree in North Carolina lives in Falkland, NC. It is 114 feet high and has a circumference of 117 inches.

You can read about the champion trees of North Carolina at NCAGR.gov

My favorite Winged Elm Tree

My favorite Winged Elm tree lives at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville.

Plant a Winged Elm Tree

The early fruits and young leaves of this tree are important wildlife food. This tree usually grows up to 80 feet and can live over a hundred years of more if not affected by the Dutch Elm disease.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Ulmus alata, from my journal...

Black Willow - Salix nigra

2026-06-28T15:14:42.303-04:00

Salicaceae - Willow Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 85
Black Willow Tree
Salix nigra

Spring

The Black Willow. Photo by Robert Priddy

This Black Willow lives at Myakka River State Park in Florida. The leaves were just coming out iin early March when we took this photo.

Summer

Black Willow on the French Broad River in Asheville

Haiku to a Black Willow

By the riverside,

the black willow’s narrow leaves -

Full of butterflies

A good ID tip for this tree is the leaves. This tree has very long and slender leaves. The green leaves have fine teeth and are hairless on both sides.
The leaves of this tree are described as:

narrow
lance shaped
often curved to one side
pointed
finely toothed
alternate, simple

The bark is another good ID tip. It is black and becomes deep and furrowed on older trees. This is frequent streamside tree.

I have heard of some beautiful baskets made from the bark and twigs of this tree. I hope to find one and even learn how to make a basket from a Black Willow tree.

Fall

This tree lives in Mountain Home Arkansas at
Cooper Park by the Historic village along a stream.

This is a closer view of the interesting bark and leaves of Salix nigra, the Black Willow tree.

Winter

The bark has been used to make tea for centuries to cure headaches, fevers, intestinal ailments, and even as a wash to stimulate hair growth. Leaves have been used as poultices for sprains, bruises and sores.The twigs are usually bright yellow, the bark can become furrowed at a fairly young age, deeply furrowed with age. Often there are multiple trunks.

The Champion Black Willow Trees

The North Carolina champion tree lives in Bertie county, North Carolina at the Roanoke River National Wildlife refuge. It is 76 feet high with a circumference of 123 inches.

http://www.ncforestservice.gov/Urban/tree_detail.asp?Tree_ID=550

"The Marlboro Tree
A Local Legacy
How old do trees live to be? There is a black willow tree in Marlboro, New Jersey, that is more than 150 years old. It started growing before the Civil War. Not only is the Marlboro Tree old, but it's also huge. It's 76 feet tall and over 19 feet in circumference (the measurement around the trunk of the tree). Five adults would have to hold hands to fully encircle the trunk. The Marlboro Tree is the largest black willow in New Jersey and the largest tree in Marlboro. In fact, the New Jersey Forest Service has certified it as a "State Champion" because of its size."

An interesting aside, since I am currently reading "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince"
There is an old tree on the grounds of Hogwarts called the Whomping Willow. It was planted in order to conceal a passageway Lupin went through every full moon when he turned into a werewolf.

My favorite Black Willow Trees

I love to walk by the river in West Asheville and look at all the Black Willow tree that grow by the river.

Plant a Black Willow Treel

The flowers of the Black Willow tree attract birds and butterflies. It is a larval host for the beautiful Mourning cloak, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, Tiger Swallowtail, and Acadian Hairsteak butterflies.

If I lived near a stream, I would love to plant this amazing butterfly tree.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Butternut - Juglans cinerea

2026-03-26T14:37:00.006-04:00

Juglandaceae - Walnut Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 55
Butternut
Juglans cinerea

Spring


The Butternut Tree. Photo by Dean Gulstad. www.flickr.com

The Butternut tree is in the same family as the Walnut tree, the Juglan family. The Butternut tree has compound, alternate leaves, that have 11 - 17 or so leaflets. There is an end leaflet on each leaf and the underside of these leaflets are fuzzy. The oily, delicious nuts are an important food source for many small mammals.

Noyer cendré 03-B, a photo by Paupaulo on Flickr.

Summer

This Butternut tree is located at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville.
http://ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

The leaves are starting to become quite "fall-like". Today, there was a crispness to the air and the sky was so beautiful and blue; I felt the nearness of the fall season all around me. As I type this evening, I can hear the sounds of insects singing loudly. This is the sound of late summer turning into fall.
Becky - August 2010

Fall

The Butternut Tree
This tree lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens by the creek at the end of Sycamore meadow. www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

All the leaves have fallen from the tree and all the nuts as well. The tree is beautiful in fall's light.
Becky - November 30, 2010

Winter

This Butternut tree lives on a hillside at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. My daughter and I went looking for the Butternut trees at the Botanical Gardens and found them with the help of Sarah, the garden manager and Roots, Horticulturist, at the Botanical Gardens.

The Butternut is a wonderful species! Unfortunately, 3 of the butternuts on the property were lost due to Hurricane Helene. Cherokee carvers and basket makers. They will make use of the wood from the ones that fell. The Butternut is a traditional craft tree for the Cherokee. That is a silver lining, knowing the trees live on in art.

Of the remaining butternuts, three are on a steep section of creekbank right along Broadway, so it is not safe or accessible to approach. Others are on the slope to the right-hand side of the entry path between the parking lot and green bridge (to the right side of the visitor center). They are not marked with a label. If you can't find them, you can swing by the front desk and ask a volunteer for help.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

March 2026

Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua

2026-02-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

Hamamelidaceae - Witch-Hazel Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 47
Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua

Winter 2026

February 16th

I visited with a big Sweetgum tree today. This tree lives in front of my house. It is around 75 feet tall.

There are no leaves or buds on this tree today. There are a few remaining sweet gum spiky balls.

I went out and hugged this tree and stood chest to bark and just breathed the tree in. The day was warm and the sky was blue. I felt quite peace filled after visiting with this sweetgum and grateful to be alive on this winters day.

I hope you may find a big sweetgum tree to hug on a beautiful winter day.

Spring

Sweetgum bud, opened, showing both new leaves and flowers a photo by Martin LaBar on Flickr.

Leaves: The leaves are light green in the spring, alternate and simple. They have a distinct star shape with five points and deep V-shaped sinuses. The edges are finely toothed.
Twigs and Buds: The twigs and buds have a distinct pleasant odor when scraped with your fingernail or broken.

Summer

The name, Liquidambar, says it all. The resin of the Sweetgum tree is indeed a "liquid ambar".
The aromatic resin can be harvested from the tree trunk and used as incense, perfume, jewelry, soap, medicine, and adhesive.

The Sweetgum Tree in July. Photo by Robert Priddy

The leaves have become a darker green since the spring. Some of the leaves have little tears and holes since they have been on the tree since spring. There is an incredible difference on the summer tree - the little green balls with the spikes. So beautiful!

The Sweetgum balls hold seeds, and the balls protect the seeds by the prickly spikes. These seeds hold the life of a new tree and they are also nourishment for birds and small mammals such as chipmunks and squirrels. There can be up to 50 seeds per ball. My daughter called it, "A holder of seeds" in a beautiful art piece she gave to a few years ago.

Sweetgum trees are the home for the caterpillar of the beautiful and romantic Luna Moth. The luna moth will live only a brief moment in time, coming out of it's cocoon by the light of the summer moon, finding its mate and flying together for a night and day before laying its eggs to begin life anew the following year....now, that is truly the essence of living in the moment.

I will be looking for the Luna moth this summer emerging from the Sweetgum Tree that lives by my house.

A Sweetgum leaf in July

Fall

The Sweetgum Tree in October

The Sweetgum Tree in October light.

The Sweetgum tree is beginning to change color.

Winter

Height of a fully grown tree: Usually 80-100 feet in height and 2-4 feet in diameter.
Bark: Gray, furrowed with ridges.
Twigs: Frequently have corky ridges.
Fruit: Spiky balls will be hanging from the tree into the winter months. The trees are usually at least 30 years old before forming the spiky balls. The fruits are spherical up to 1.5 inches and have sharp points.
Buds: Large terminal buds are present.

Many wildlife eat the Sweetgum balls for nourishment in the winter. Birds and squirrels and chipmunks live around Sweetgum trees to reap the benefits of the nourishing value of the Sweetgum balls.

The gum produced in the bark has been used as chewing gum and also medicinally for sore throats, coughs, and colds. The essential oil of the leaf contains similar properties to Australian Tee Tree oil.

This Sweetgum ball has landed on a burning bush where it is resting on this cold January day.

Champion Sweetgum Tree

The Champion Sweetgum tree lives in Burlington, New Jersey. It is
115 feet tall and has a circumference of 230 inches. See www.americanforests.org for more information on this national champion Sweetgum tree.
www.americanforests.org

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Liquidambar styraciflua

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment, wisely and earnestly."
Budda

A Year With the Trees project. What is the tree blog all about anyway?

2026-02-12T14:03:00.022-05:00

Cercis canadensis, Red Bud, Fruit

This blog is about the trees that are native to the Southern Appalachians.

It is a collection of photos, drawings, and writings. I hope this collection will inspire anyone who finds it to plant, and nurture native trees and plants in their own yards, cities, parks, and walkways.

By writing this blog, I hope to spread a bit of that fun, beauty, peace and joy that nature provides.

Why 92 Trees

I chose 92 Southern Appalachian trees because I wanted one tree to study for each day of the season.

By visiting each tree in all four seasons, I felt like I could truly get to know them.

Since there are 90-92 days per season, I needed 92 trees that lived close enough to me to visit.

Winter: December (31), January (31), February (28) = 90 days .

Spring : March (31), April (30), May (31) = 92 days

Summer: June (30), July (31), August (31) = 92 days

Fall: September (30), October (31), November (30s) = 91 days

Total: 365 days

I selected these species from a wonderful book, Native Trees of the Southeast, an Identification Guide by L Katherine Kirkman, Claud L. Brown, and Donald J. Leopold. (Timber Press, 2007).

Since I live in Western North Carolina, I choose the 92 trees native to Western North Carolina.

The Practice of Visiting

Because it is difficult to visit every tree in person every single day of the year, there are some days when I visit them in my heart and mind. On those days, I think about the tree, read about it, ponder it, draw it, or write a poem.

I have created a journal where each tree has its own page. I head out with my journal and a pen; once I am with the tree, it is my quiet time to listen and be in the moment. I may write, draw, or even take a nap. I love to take it all in with all of my senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and - sometimes - even taste.

A Year of Observation

I aim to sketch, paint, and photograph each tree through all four seasons. Each tree is hugged, listened to and sat with.

Spring: Amazing buds, leaf growth and flowers.

Summer: Lush leaves and fruit to fascinate any observer.

Fall: Breathtaking leaf color and autumn fruits.

Winter: Interesting bark, dried fruit, twigs and buds.

My goal is to complete this journal for all 92 trees across all four seasons. Eventually, I hope to create a Year With the Trees workshop each season for others who want to be creative and learn more about our native canopy.

I hope this blog inspires you to grow and nurture native trees and plants where you live, work, learn, and play. Inspiration, learning, and appreciation of nature are the three traits that always make life a bit sweeter.

Contact me: You can reach me at Celerylady@gmail.com. Or, you can send me a message here on the blog. Thank you for reading this and I hope to hear from you soon!

Becky

A Year With the Trees
A Collection of Southern Appalachian Trees

Aceracae, The Maple family
1. Acer negundo. Box Elder
2. Acer pensylvanicum. Striped Maple
3. Acer rubrum. Red Maple
4. Acer saccharinum. Silver Maple\
5. Acer saccharum. Sugar Maple
6. Acer spicatum. Mountain Maple

Annonaceae, The Custard Apple Family
7. Asimina triloba. PawPaw

Aquifoliaceae, The Holly Family
8. Ilex montana. Mountain Winterberry
9. Ilex opaca. American Holly
10. Ilex verticillata. Common Winterberry

Araliaceae, The Ginseng Family
11. Aralia spinosa. Devils Walking Stick

Betulaceae, The Birch Family
12. Alnus serrulata. Tag Alder
13. Betula alleghaniensis. Yellow Birch
14. Betula lenta. Black Birch
15. Betula nigra. River Birch
16. Betual papyrifera - Paper Birch
17. Carpinus caroliniana - American Hornbeam
18. Ostraya virginiana - Eastern Hornbeam

Caprifoliaceae - The Honeysuckle Family
19. Viburnum prunifolium. Black Haw

Cornaceae - The Dogwood Family
20. Cornus alternifolia - Alternate Leaved Dogwood
21. Cornus florida - Flowering Dogwood
22. Nyssa sylvatica - Black Gum

Cupressaceae - The Cypress Family
23. Juniperus virginiana - Eastern Red Cedar

Ebenaceae - The Ebony Family
24. Diospyros virginiana - Persimmon

Ericaceae - The Heath Family
25. Kalmia latifolia - Mountain Laurel
26. Oxydendrum arboreum - Sourwood
27. Rhododendron catawbiense - Catawba Rhododendron
28. Rhododendron maximum - Rosebay Rhododendron

Fabraceae - The Bean Family
29. Cercis canadensis - Redbud
30. Cladrastis kentuckea - Yellowwood
31. Gleditsia triacanthos - Honeylocust
32. Gymnocladus dioicus - Kentucky Coffeetree
33. Robina pseudoacacia - Black Locust

Fagaceae - The Beech Family
34. Castanea dentata - American Chestnut
35. Castanea pumila - Allegheny Chinquapin
36. Fagus grandifolia - American Beech
37. Quercus alba - White Oak
38. Quercus coccinea - Scarlet Oak
39. Quercus falcata - Southern Red Oak
40. Quercus marilandica - Blackjack Oak
41. Quercus montana (prinus) Chestnut Oak
42. Quercus phellos - Willow Oak
43. Quercus rubra - Northern Red Oak

44. Quercus stellata - Post Oak
45. Quercus velutina - Black Oak

Hamamelidaceae - The Witch Hazel Family
46. Hamamelis virginiana - Witch-Hazel
47. Liquidambar styraciflua - Sweetgum

Hippocastanaceae - Buckeye Family
48. Aesculus flava - Yellow Buckeye

49. Aesculus parviflora – Bottlebrush Buckeye

50. Aesculus pavia – Red Buckeye

Juglandaceae – Walnut Family

51. Carya cordiformis – Bitternut Hickory

52. Carya glabra – Pignut Hickory

53. Carya ovata – Shagbark Hickory

54. Carya tomentosa – Mockernut Hickory

55. Juglans cinerea – Butternut

56. Juglans nigra – Black Walnut

Lauraceae – Laurel Family

57. Sassafras albidum – Sassafras

Magnoliaceae – Magnolia Family

58. Liriodendron tulipifera – Yellow Poplar

59. Magnolia acuminata– Cucumber Tree

60. Magnolia fraseri - Fraser Magnolia

61. Magnolia macrophylla - Bigleaf Magnolia

62. Magnolia tripetala - Umbrella Magnolia

Moraceae – Mulberry Family

63. Morus rubra - Red Mulberry

Oleaceae – Olive Family

64. Chionanthus virginicus - Fringe Tree

65. Fraxinius americana - White Ash

66. Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Green Ash

Pinaceae – Pine Family

67. Albies fraseri - Fraser Fir

68. Picea rubens - Red Spruce

69. Pinus echinata - Shortleaf Pine

70. Pinus pungens - Table Mountain Pine

71. Pinus rigida - Pitch Pine

72. Pinus strobus - Eastern White Pine

73. Pinus taeda - Loblolly Pine

74. Pinus virginiana - Virginia Pine

75. Tsuga canadensis - Eastern Hemlock

76. Tsuga caroliniana - Carolina Hemlock

Platanaceae – Sycamore Family

77. Plantanus occidentalis - Sycamore

Rosaceae – Rose Family

78. Ameranchier arborea - Serviceberry

79. Crataegus, sp. - Hawthorn

80. Prunus americana - American Plum

81. Prunus pensylvanica - Pin Cherry

82. Prunus serotina - Black Cherry

83. Sorbus americana - American Mountain Ash

Rutaceae – Rue Family

84. Ptelea trifoliata - Hoptree

Salicaceae – Willow Family

85. Salix nigra - Black Willow

Styracaceae – Storax Family

86. Halesia carolina - Carolina Silverbell

87. Styrax grandifolius - Bigleaf Storax

Tiliaceae – Basswood Family

88. Tilia americana – Basswood

Ulmaceae – Elm Family

89. Celtis occidentalis – Hackberry

90. Ulmus alata – Winged Elm

91. Ulmus americana – American Elm

92. Ulmus rubra – Slippery Elm

Thank you everyone for reading this. I would love to hear from you.
Becky

celerylady@gmail.com

Yellowwood - Cladrastis kentuckea

2026-01-30T15:15:00.001-05:00

Fabaceae - Bean Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 30
Yellowwood
Cladrastis kentuckea

January 30, 2026

Check out this post to see pictures of this tree in all four seasons.

Spring

This tree is identified by its alternately compounded, 8-12 inch leaves. There may be 7-11 leaflets per leaf that are elliptical to ovate and 3-4 inches long each. The flowers are out in May. These flowers have been called the most beautiful tree flowers in the American Forests. The flowers do not appear every year; just every 2-5 years.

The Yellowwood Tree in May at the North Carolina Arboretum

The Yellowwood Sign by the Yellowwood Tree at the North Carolina Arboretum

Summer

Yellowwood Tree at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville in June

My daughter and I measured the Botanical Gardens tree for the Asheville Tree map a few years ago. We found our tape measure showed that three trunks all emerged from the base. At 4 1/2 feet from the earth, we had three trunk measurements of 55 inches, 44 inches, and 37 inches. I had planned to post this info on the website for the Asheville Tree Map.

The Asheville Tree Map is not active anymore. We now have in the City of Asheville a Urban Forester. I will be reaching out to him to see if there in a new Asheville Tree Map that we are able to enter data about trees.

Fall

The Yellowwood Tree

This tree lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens in the meadow over the green bridge near the Gazebo. It is so beautiful in the fall light. I could hear the seed pods today blowing in the cool breeze, it was the sound of fall's music. www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

Winter

Yellowwood tree

You can always identify this tree in the winter by seeing the dried pods hanging from the limbs and the smooth light-colored bark.

Yellowwood tree and the yellow-bellied sapsucker
photo by http://www.robertpriddyphoto.com/

This Yellowwood tree and yellow-bellied sapsucker both live at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

For the love of the trees,
Becky

January 2026

2026-01-26T14:15:00.058-05:00

A Year With the Trees - 2026

Box Elder drawing by Brooke Priddy Conrad

"And now let us welcome the new year; full of things that have never been." Rainer Maria Rilke

The 93 trees of "A Year With the Trees" have been a big part of this journey since 2010. Each tree was sought out and found, offering a chance to sit quietly in its presence. From the network of veins in a leaf to the patterns of the bark and the land where each tree lives, every detail has a story to tell.

Up in the branches, birds and wildlife find a place to live and move. These trees change with the seasons: the bare branches of winter eventually give way to the new green growth of spring. Summer brings a fullness of life that slowly turns into the changing colors of fall. In the sunlight, the leaves turn to shades of gold, brown, red, and yellow. Even when the leaves fall to the ground and the branches are bare again, there is a quiet waiting for the new growth to return in the spring.

Visiting and journaling these 93 trees through every season reveals that there is always more to learn about them. It is a rewarding experience to walk through the woods, down a street, or in a park and recognize the trees as familiar friends. Developing this connection provides a sense of peace.

Beyond their beauty, trees are essential for life. We can breathe clean air and drink clean water because we live on the same planet with them. Their roots hold the soil in place, and their branches provide homes for birds, small mammals, moths, and butterflies. We share an interconnected world, and trees are its quiet protectors.

"A Year With the Trees" was started as a way to share how to get to know the trees. Whether you are following along with all 93 or just getting to know a single tree in your neighborhood, these amazing Southern Appalachian trees have much to share with anyone who takes the time to look.

When one has an appreciation and gratitude for trees, one will naturally be led to protect and care for them.

Drawing by Rebecca Priddy

There is a journal booklet I created with the help of my husband, Robert and my daughter, Brooke Conrad. I wanted to make this journal to help others get to know these trees. I am editing it now to be able to hopefully put it online and/or in printed form. I will update this post when I get these journal booklets ready. In the meantime, have fun out there in nature.

For the love of the trees,

Rebecca

How Do Trees Inspire Me?

2026-01-26T12:55:00.000-05:00

How do trees inspire me?

The PawPaw flower

Trees inspire me to be grateful for this moment,

to pause and see the beauty as a bud turns into flower.

Carolina Silverbell

Trees inspire me to learn their names.

To explore all the different colors , flowers and fruits they wear each season.

Black Locust Flowers

Trees inspire me to do share with others that we are all one sharing one planet.

Peace,

Rebecca

Persimmon - Diospyros virginiana

2026-01-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

Ebenaceae - Ebony Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 24
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana

The word Diospyros means "the fruit of the gods" in ancient Greek.

Spring

Persimmon Tree in the Spring
The green is very vibrant in the early morning spring light.
This tree lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens.

http://www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/.

Persimmon Flower. Thank you to Wikimedia commons for the use of this beautiful persimmon flower . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Persimmon_0375.jpg

This is a female Persimmon flower. Both female and male flowers grow on the Persimmon tree.

Summer

Persimmon leaf teas have been used for many years in China, Japan, and in Korea. These teas have been said to have numerous health benefits. Benefits to health include improving blood lipid values, skin health, colon health, and many other health benefits have been reported as far back at 1000 years.

Persimmon fruit growing in the summertime

Fall

Persimmon fruit growing in West Virginia in the fall. Photo by Robert Priddy

Persimmon in the fall.

The fruit before it ripens is very astringent. I wanted to know what that meant, astringent. So, I tasted a a persimmon back in June when the fruit was green. I discovered what astringent means. It means every single drop of moisture in your mouth is sucked out. I had the driest mouth I ever had in my whole life. So, today, needless to say, I was a bit skeptical to try and taste this now ripe fruit. I have heard it said, not to eat the persimmon until they start to fall from the tree. For, then and only then, are they ripe. Well, today, on my walk about, there were persimmons on the ground.

So, I picked one up off the ground and I felt the persimmon. It was quite soft. I smelled the persimmon, I did notice a sweet-like scent, that was new to me. After touching and smelling, I decided to taste. I bit into the soft flesh of the persimmon fruit. I was so amazed at what I tasted. The fruit was so sweet, like a heavenly date-like nectar. I had to taste more. They were all a gift from the tree. I thanked the tree and will be sure to go back tomorrow for another taste of heaven.

May you all find a persimmon tree on just the right fall day

Winter

Persimmon Tree that lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens

The bark of the Persimmon tree is distinctive with a dark deeply-fissured, rectangular blocks. The Persimmon tree is native to the eastern US.

From Wikipedia: "In philosophy, the painting of persimmons by Mu Qi (13th Century) exemplifies the progression from youth to age as a symbol of the progression from bitterness to sweetness. The persimmon when young is bitter and inedible, but as it ages it becomes sweet and beneficial to humankind. Thus, as we age, we overcome rigidity and prejudice and attain compassion and sweetness. Mu Qi's painting of six persimmons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Persimmons) is considered a masterpiece."

For the love of the trees,

Rebecca

The Apple tree and a poem

2026-01-23T17:50:00.000-05:00

Apple Tree

“There is a pleasure in

the pathless woods,

There is a rapture on the

lonely shore,

There is society, where

none intrudes,

By the deep sea, and

music in its roar:

I love not man the less,

but Nature more.”

-Lord Byron

For the love of the trees,

Rebecca

Eastern Red Cedar - Juniperus virginiana - A Year With the Trees, tree number 23

2026-01-23T17:45:00.003-05:00

Cupressaceae - Cypress Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 23
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana

Eastern red cedar is actually not a cedar. It is a juniper. The red cedar is the most common native conifer in the Eastern United States. Its seeds are spread by cedar waxwings and other birds that eat the blue seed cones. The berries are so blue!

Spring

Juniperus virginiana

The small pink flowers on the Red Cedar will turn into a blue berry-like cone.

This next image is a Red Cedar tree with a Rust Gall. These are quite interesting. These do not harm the Cedar tree; yet they are cause much havoc to apple and crab apple trees.

Cedar Apple Rust

These trees are so important to the birds in the winter. The berry-like cones provide food during the winter months. Cedar waxwings, American Robin, Northern Bobwhite, Turkey, Starling, Mourning Dove, Northern Mockingbird, Purple Finch, American Crow, Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, and the Eastern Bluebird all eat the berry-like cones of this tree. If you want birds to come visit where you live, plant these trees and enjoy.

Summer

Eastern Red Cedar - Juniperus virginiana

The Red Cedar is important to wildlife, it is beautiful, and it lives a very long time (400 plus years). The berries (cones) on this tree are colorful and used in herbal medicine as well as providing food for birds. The bark is colorful, interesting, and smells wonderful.

This Juniperus virginiana tree is filled with blue berry-like female cones.

Fall

Juniperus virginiana in September in Arkansas

Winter

I took these winter images today, the evergreen foliage stays on the cedar tree all winter long. This Eastern Red Cedar lives at Priddy Woods, and is my favorite Cedar tree. It faces the sunset and just shines with light through its boughs every evening. I am grateful for the peace I always feel when I watch the sunset through the branches where he light is caught in each little green whorled stem.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Scarlet Oak

2025-11-20T18:08:00.006-05:00

Fagaceae Family - Scarlet Oak
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 38
Quercus coccinea

The scarlet oak that dropped these leaves about a week ago, shares the same land I live on. I watch and visit with this magnificent tree all year round. The day these leaves fell, it was cold and windy. I picked up these beautiful scarlet colored leaves and took this photo on white paper to be able to really see the scarlet color,

I am so grateful for the trees I live beside. To see the birds that visit the tree, to hear the wind in tree branches, to breath in the fresh air, to feel the leaves falling around me, and to touch the strong bark with my hands, these moments always bring me to the present moment. Being present is what helps to keep me calm in what often seems a chaotic world filled with too much to do.

Enjoy finding your own moments by a tree and embracing the time with all your senses.

My practice for the past 15 years has been to visit each of the 93 trees on this blog once per season. When I am with the tree, I am quiet and use all my senses. Sight, hearing, smell, touch, and even tasting when possible.. These trees have become part of me; I have a love for trees that makes me who I am.

My favorite visits with the trees include carrying my journal and writing about my time with the tree. Writing about the birds that were there with me and the tree, the weather, the leaves, the limbs, the fruits and anything I feel about the tree and anything I feel the tree communicating with me. I might add a drawing of a leaf or the trunk or the fruit. Anything goes.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Winter at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina 2025

2025-02-22T18:57:00.001-05:00

I went to the Botanical Gardens yesterday with Brooke, my daughter, we had not been there since Hurricane Helene came through Asheville. The Gardens were closed to visitors for months and this is the first time we observed the changes that happened when the storm came through.

We walked to sycamore meadow and saw the magestic sycamore was down on the ground. I felt shock and awe and sadness and hope all at once.

I also felt grateful that the Botanical Gardens will leave the Sycamore tree where it lays. This meadow was named for the cluster of sycamore trees in this area of the gardens. This meadow is also the home of another special sycamore, the Moon tree, whose seeds flew to the moon and back aboard the Apollo spaceship.

The botanical gardens at asheville are currently working on preparing the fallen Sycamore tree so the visitors that come to the garden will be free to interact with the tree by touching and sitting on the fallen Sycamore tree.

This is my page from my “A Year With the Trees” journal. You can see where Brooke drew the outline of the trunk as it lays on the ground.

If you get a chance go visit the beautiful Sycamore meadow at the botanical gardens of Asheviile.

Peace,

Becky Priddy

2023-04-01T14:50:00.003-04:00

Aceraceae - Maple Family

Box Elder

"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 1

January 1

April 1

July 1

October 1

Spring

Box Elder drawing by Brooke Priddy Conrad

The Box Elder in the light of a spring day

When I started writing my Journal Book called, A Year With the Trees, I began with the Box Elder Tree. This is the tree I studied on January 1st for the Winter Box Elder tree. I returned again on April 1st and on July 1st and October 1st. I visited each of the 93 trees in all four seasons. The springtime Box Elder is my favorite tree at this time of year. When you see the incredible light on the pale new green leaves, you will know why it is favorite. I started this tree journey in 2010; now I have 93 incredible species that I call my tree friends.

Find your own Box Elder Friend and get to know that tree in all its beautiful seasons. Sit with the tree and look into it's branches. See how it changes throughout the year and see what feelings you experience as you become still and just breathe under this tree's branches. For me, I feel Peace; and we can all use more peace everyday. Let me know if you want to know where you can find my favorite Box Elder.

You can find more info in this blog about the box elder by finding its name in the labels.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

Phenology -My Practice of Phenology at Priddy Woods - What is Phenology?

2023-02-19T14:36:00.017-05:00

My practice of Phenology at Priddy Woods

I have a practice of phenology at Priddy Woods. At Priddy Woods I have currently 24 tree companions. I visit them every day I am at Priddy Woods. I look into their branches and see what is happening. I watch their leaves unfold, the flowers bloom, the leaves change color in the fall; and I watch the leaves fall to the earth. I am bringing awareness of the change of the seasons and how it shows up in nature and my life. I am noticing nature's changes in the trees, the birds, the animals and myself, my family, and friends.

I am a phenologist, I study the timing of the life cycle events in plants and animals. However, to me, this is not just a "study", it is a practice of awareness and being grateful as well as a daily prayer that our grandchildren and their grandchildren for many generations may also witness the amazing life cycles of trees and flowers and birds and animals that share our earth with us.

What is phenology?

I quote from Natures Notebook,

"Phenology is the study of the timing of life cycle events in plants and animals, their recurrence, and relationship to the environment.

Phenology is nature’s calendar—when cherry trees bloom, when a robin builds its nest and when leaves turn color in the fall.

Phenology is pollinators visiting open flowers to aid in reproduction, elk making mating calls, and a tadpole turning into a frog."

Slash Pine

2023-02-03T14:20:00.001-05:00

Dauphin Island, Alabama

February 3, 2023

This tree is the magnificent Slash Pine Tree. It is a long needled pine that thrives here on the coast of Alabama. This tree is a protector of the land and water and air. That is why I call this tree magnificent. It is also so beautiful with its red plated bark and the sunshine catching on its needles and lighting up the sky.

The Slash pine’s shallow roots grow together and help hold the land in place during all the storms. Their roots clean the water that flows to this part of the country. The needles clean our air and the trees provide much needed shade for the health of our waters, land, and people.

I was fortunate to make my way to the sea lab on Dauphin Island. I met Lori who works there and she told me about the Audubon trail markers that describe the Slash Pine and the Longleaf Pine. I found that marker and the photos are included here.

Lori is on the board of the Dauphin Island Foundation. This foundation promotes community services and environmental conservation. They are working on a tree project that will educate people about the ecosystem of the maritime forest on the island.

Each part of the ecosystem is vital for the protection of the island. Protection from land loss, wind shear, temperature fluctuations, and flooding.

Lori is now my tree sister. She inspires me to find more tree sisters and brothers along my path of life. Thank you Lori, for speaking for the trees, for caring, and sharing!

Speaking for the trees,

Becky

“ Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The Lorax

Fall is in the air

2022-09-22T18:42:00.002-04:00

I have been out in nature the past 10 days observing the signs of fall. I am using my senses when out in nature to be more observant and aware of my surroundings. I feel more presence in my life when I am observing and being a part of the nature around me.

I saw the light change in the past week or two from summer light to fall light? Have you noticed it?

I saw the change in the light. The light is lower in the sky, getting light later in the morning and getting dark earlier in the evening. The light comes through the trees lower and with a richer golden color.

I saw a few leaves change, like the red maple tree picture in this post as well as the blush of the dogwood starting. This is just the start of fall color change that usually does begin this time of year.

I saw acorns on the ground and walnuts falling out of walnut trees.

I saw fall wildflowers in full bloom with bees working the flowers for their honey.

I saw sunsets that made me tear up with joy over the blue mountains of the Appalachian range.

I heard the sound of leaves falling in the wind and the sound of falling walnuts and acorns.

I smelled, the rich balsam smell of fir trees in the forest as walked. I smelled the earthy smell of the deep soil of the forest floor covered in moss and lichens and ferns and mushrooms and fallen trees from many years past.

I felt the cold chill of early autumn air. And I felt the wind on my face, and the sun on my skin. I felt the soft floor of the forest floor, softened by many years of leaves and moss.

I tasted the air as I breathed it in. Amazing, clean, pure air. It tasted whole and like how air is meant to taste.

I was in Greyson Highlands State Park in Virginia and Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee. I hiked on the AT in Virginia and Tennessee. A most beautiful fall is starting.

For those of you reading this, get outside and be present with nature observing with all of your senses. As you do, perhaps you can write down what you experienced.

If you would like to share, please share with me or a friend or family member.

I will make a point to write more frequently here. I will be outside daily making my phenology observations and sharing when I can.

Look back here for more info on my phenology project and what exactly is phenology. I will share where I record my observations and my phenology trail at Priddy Woods.

Here is a very interesting and education link to the USA National Phenology Network.

Phenology Network

Until next time,

Becky Priddy

Carolina Hemlock - Tsuga caroliniana

2022-03-17T14:14:00.001-04:00

Pinaceae - Pine Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 76
Carolina Hemlock Tree
Tsuga caroliniana

Spring

The Carolina Hemlock

This tree lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. https://ashevillebotanicalgardens.org/
The Carolina Hemlock splays her needles all around the twig; this is the way to distinguish it from the Eastern Hemlock, which lays his needles flat on top, like a blanket.

Summer

Carolina Hemlock that has the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid living on it.

New spring growth on another Carolina Hemlock that does not have the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid living in it's branches.

The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is living on this Carolina Hemlock. The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is native to Asia and came to the Southern Appalachians in the 1950's. This adelgid lives and breeds unchecked as this species has no predator in this part of the world. The adelgid is sucking the sap out of the hemlock trees and causing them to die. You can tell when a Hemlock has an infestation of the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid for it has white patches of a wooly substance which is actually what the Adelgid wraps their eggs in.

There is research going on in how to stop this infestation. There are different methods being used and studied. You can read more at https://savehemlocksnc.org/

Fall

The Carolina Hemlock

This Carolina Hemlock lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.

The location of this Carolina Hemlock is interesting for it is very close to a Tsuga Canadensis. Because they are so close it is easy to see the difference in the two species. The biggest difference I could see was in the size of the needles, cones, and twigs. In comparing these two trees, the Carolina Hemlock had the largest needles and cones; although there was not a great deal of difference, it was noticeable. The Eastern Hemlock twigs were slightly thicker and the sprays of needles appear to be flatter on the Eastern Hemlock and more all around the twig on the Carolina Hemlock.

Winter

This tree only lives in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. I visited this tree at the Asheville Botanical Gardens. www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org

The Champion Carolina Hemlock Tree

The American Forest National Champion Carolina Hemlock Tree lives in Buncombe County, North Carolina. It is 74 feet tall and has a circumference of 128 inches.
http://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/carolina-hemlock-tsuga-caroliniana-2/

I hope to find this tree and photograph and draw it. Check back for that soon.

My favorite Carolina Hemlock Tree

My favorite Carolina Hemlock lives at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

from my journal....

Fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smokey Mountain National Park

2021-11-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Fall is in the air in Asheville, North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Cataloochee. I took a drive on the Parkway and also camped at Cataloochee a few days ago and here are some of the beautiful sights that spoke to my soul. If you are near the Parkway, take a trip to see nature's beauty and fill your soul with the blessings of earth!

Fall Evening on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Sunset in October.

Fall Evening on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Sunset in October

Flowering Dogwood,

Mountain Ash, Sorbus americana

Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica

Finding the signs of Fall

2021-11-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

On my walk today, I was looking for signs of Fall. I encourage everyone to go outside and look for at least ten signs of Fall. Please write to me and tell me what you find. While you are looking for the signs of Fall, use all of your senses; get into the moment and really listen, smell, look, feel, and taste. Here are the signs of fall that I experienced.

1st sign of fall, yellowing leaves on the Yellow Birch tree.

Yellow Birch

2nd sign of fall, red berries on the dogwood trees.

Dogwood Tree

3rd sign of fall, yellow leaves on the Frasier Magnolia tree

Fraser Magnolia

4th sign of fall, Basswood leaves getting lacey holes in the leaves.

Basswood Tree leaves

5th sign of fall, Devils Walking Stick tree changing colors.

Devil's walking stick changing colors

6th sign of fall, Dahlias are in bloom.

Dahlia in bloom

7th sign of fall, Yellow fall wildflowers are everywhere.

8th sign of fall, A big blue Carolina sky.

My 9th sign of fall, listening to the fall insects singing.

My 10th sign of fall, was the feel of coolness in the air.

You know life happens every day, time ticks by second by second. We get so busy at work and school and home. Take time from your day and notice what is happening around you in nature.
Parents, I challenge you to take your kids outside and sit with them on the earth, walk in the woods, walk down the street in your neighborhood. Get outside and notice what is happening all around you. Ask your kids to notice ten changes that are happening in nature as our season is changing to fall.

Write to me and tell me the changes you observe.
Celerylady@gmail.com

Box Elder - Acer negundo

2020-07-26T07:49:00.002-04:00

Aceraceae - Maple Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 1

Spring

Box Elder drawing by Brooke Priddy Conrad

The Box Elder in the light of a spring day

Summer

The Box Elder tree has a compound leaf with three to five leaflets per leaf. The leaflets have coarse teeth. The twigs are green and hairless. They grow in pairs in an opposite arrangement. The flowers are like stacks of samaras, and are quite beautiful.

Fall

Box Elder leaves in September

Box Elder on October 1st at Carrier Park in Asheville, NC

Winter

Box Elder, Acer negundo
photo by Robert Priddy

The Box Elder is so beautiful this time of year with the samaras still holding on in the winter sunlight. If you happen to be out on a winter's day walk in West Asheville by the river, be on the lookout for this Box Elder tree.

Winter Tree Identification is quite challenging and fun. I have so much fun knowing what the trees are in the winter. The trees I do not recognize, I will get out my books and computer and figure it out.

The Winter Box Elder can be identified by looking at the twigs and bark.
On the twig, leaf scars meet in a raised point and you will see the leaf scars circling the stem.

Twigs are greenish to purple and slender and hairless. They grow opposite each other on the branches.

The bark will be smooth while the tree is young. The tree will develop bark that is gray brown with interlacing ridges and furrows.

Buds are covered in whitish hairs. The terminal bud is pointed, reddish, woolly.

Epicormic branches can be seen sticking out on the trunk; they are usually green. These are little random branches that just stick out on the trunk.

Here is my drawing/interpretation of a Box Elder Twig.

Box Elder Twig
Rebecca Priddy

The Champion Box Elder trees

There are 3 champion Box Elder trees listed in the North Carolina forest service champion tree program. One of them is the Murphy, North Carolina. It is 66 feet tall with a circumference of 147 inches.
https://www.ncforestservice.gov/urban/tree_detail.asp?Tree_ID=664

My favorite Box Elder Tree

My favorite Box Elder lives in West Asheville on the walk by the river near Carrier Park. I think the Box Elder may be one of the most photogenic trees I have ever photographed.

Plant a Box Elder Tree

The Box Elder tree is one of the host plants for the Cecropia silkmoth, the largest moth in America.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyalophora_cecropia_01.jpg

This tree is a masterpiece of art. The seeds are eaten by wildlife. The sap makes syrup. The branches are great for climbing. The samaras are beautiful. The shade to sit under and read is just perfect.

For the love of the trees,
Becky

A Year With the Trees

Big Leaf Magnolia - Magnolia macrophylla

Rosebay Rhododendron - Rhododendron maximum

Catawba Rhododendron - Rhododendron catawbiense

Sourwood - Oxydendrun arboreum

Winged Elm - Ulmus alata

Black Willow - Salix nigra

Butternut - Juglans cinerea

Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua

A Year With the Trees project. What is the tree blog all about anyway?

Yellowwood - Cladrastis kentuckea

January 2026

How Do Trees Inspire Me?

Persimmon - Diospyros virginiana

Ebenaceae - Ebony Family"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 24PersimmonDiospyros virginiana

The Apple tree and a poem

Eastern Red Cedar - Juniperus virginiana - A Year With the Trees, tree number 23

Scarlet Oak

Winter at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina 2025

Phenology -My Practice of Phenology at Priddy Woods - What is Phenology?

Slash Pine

Fall is in the air

Carolina Hemlock - Tsuga caroliniana

Fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Smokey Mountain National Park

Finding the signs of Fall

Box Elder - Acer negundo

Ebenaceae - Ebony Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 24
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana