Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) trees are noted for their fall color displays. Over the years, I've noticed that this one, on the northeast corner of 12th and Main Streets, puts on a particularly spectacular show. I see the tree almost every day, and today I had the idea to chronicle, in photos, the tree's progression through the color chart over the next few weeks.Every so often, I'll take a picture of the tree, post it here, and bump this blog. That way we can all watch the colors change as autumn steals into southeast Wisconsin.
October 2, 2008:
If you ask me, the tree looks worse this week than last. :( Looks like the crown is thinning out. The winds have been fierce lately. I hope there's something left before it goes orange and yellow. That is, if it goes orange and yellow.October 10, 2008:
Now we're getting there. Orange, orange, orange. Not as bright as I remember it, but memory tends to exaggerate.October 16, 2008:
Well, it has lost a considerable amount of its leaves, but the neighbor across the street is just beginning to turn. I spent a little time today looking at the fall colors I encountered on my errands and on a couple of short walks I took after I got home. I was thinking about how you should make time to do that because this show is fleeting. Next up, winter. Ugh. Anyway, I was thinking along those lines, and I took a few pictures, and then I encountered Pete Selkowe's beautiful photography in the Racine Post: Take time to enjoy the view... That about says it all.
Good idea orbs. Sugar maples are the most colorful trees in the fall. I'm hoping to get some decent pictures up north. Where I'm giong is in the 50% range.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! I've thought of doin gthat with the tree across the street from. It's pretty cool to watch it change.
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking forward to your tree pics!
Hey, great Wisconsin fall color site, drew. Maybe we should put a link in the sidebar.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, this tree has put on some great shows. I'm glad I donh't have to rake up all the leaves.
I hope it does get red and orange in color. I had a hard time getting a tree pic Up North that was red in color. Maybe later in the season...
ReplyDeleteThe Fall Color Report shows Racine county at 26-50% of peak color right now. It's interesting to look at the map becasue it shows most of the northern counties at their peak, which is what you'd expect. But then there's three counties in the southeast part of the state (Milwaukee, Washington, and Fond du Lac) also at their peak, while Waukesha county right next door is still in the 0-25% range. Lake effect?
ReplyDeleteI drove by the tree today. It looked gorgous.The reds are starting to show.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to get a pic of the one across the street. It looked pretty cool today, with the overcast sky. It almost looked 3D. Reds, greens, yellows, orange.... I love that tree.
ReplyDelete:)
I'll start a new post because I don't think I can add pictures here. Got some nice ones of the tree today.
ReplyDeleteWell orbs,I want to personally thank you for showing me a deeper appreciation for autumn.I've always hated autumn for one reason-winter. Winter sucks-I hate it. Now,I've taken the time to look around and see the color around me. The same thanks goes to DA and SER for their blogs.
ReplyDeleteThat one across the street is pretty cool. You can tell exactly where the sun hits it!
ReplyDeleteNice pics.
Drew, that is the thing about Autumn I don't like also. I KNOW what follows... :(
Yeah, it's kinda bittersweet. You know what's coming. I have some special memories attached to autumn. But I never paid much attention to the landscape. After I got into horticulture and landscape, my appreciation for autumn grew immensely.
ReplyDeleteWinter has its beauties, too, but I think they are much better appreciated if you can afford to sit back and let someone else deal with all the miseries associated with the season. If you have to shovel/blow snow, it's a b*tch. Winter driving is the worst. I'd love to be able to hibernate for three months.