It’s Tulip Time
Tulip trees that is
Taken on May 6 a few years ago when I lived in Virginia. I first knew of them growing up in Michigan not realizing I was at the northern extent of their range – neighbor had one growing in the midst of an oak and maple woods – so it stood out.
I had to write a report on “something” – probably trees – in 8th grade and tulip trees (aka yellow poplar) became the topic; I suspect because the report might have been due towards the end of the school year and the tree was blooming.
Anyway, one of my favorite trees – and they don’t grow anywhere near here.
I had a post prepared about that FedEx driver that kidnapped, raped, and killed a 7yo girl … but it bothered me too much and no point bothering all y’all with it.
But I did want to say he was sentenced properly … and I feel better about posting blooming trees.
Funny, yesterday afternoon I found one of them laying outside my front office door, so I brought it in and it’s laying on the desk over there.
Outside my north office window is a large sycamore and an equally large tulipwood. They both contribute equally to the huge amount of spring debris that collects on the bridge that runs adjacent to them.
Of all the hundreds of bulbs my wife has planted around here over the years only one of them was a tulip, and it is red. It too is outside my office window and it provides only 1 red flower each year. Every.single.year a deer eats that tulip right when it is at it’s peak. Next year I’m going to sprinkle some cayenne pepper down in it, if I can remember.
DT, ever make Holland, MI’s Tulip Time Festival? I marched in the Tulip Time parade two years in a row in 5th and 6th grade. In 5th grade costumed as a Dutch boy, and in 6th as a member of the band playing my coronet.
I did back in the early 70s when I lived in Kazoo.
I “played” coronet in 6th grade myself …
I took trumpet lessons at school from age 8-11 (1963-1966).
Trumpet and a bunch of other stuff “disappeared” when I went into the army in 1974.
We have two Tulip Poplars in our yard. One has a diameter of 4-5 feet and is over 100 feet tall. Every year when it blooms we stand in awe and say a silent prayer to our Creator. “How Great Thou Are”.
No picture for me, DT.
???
clear your cache
I’ve put these up here before, mainly because I just think that they’re spectacular, but here are this morning’s blooms of the Argentine Giant in our front yard. This photo was taken just before 8am as I was finishing my walk for the day. By sunset today, they’ll begin to wither and in 3 days the dead bloom will have fallen from the cactus.
There’s just something about a pretty flower that makes me stop for a minute.
Beautiful.
The scent of a tulip…
lightly bitter
tangy spice,
gently sharp
mild musk.
4-23-2007 Pondering…….
Such beautiful photos!
I wrote a while ago about how the county came one week when I was away and chopped down about 15 trees lining the little road leading to my farm claiming they “encroached”.
I’ve been thinking about what I should plant to replace the trees they chopped. These poplars would be great because they grow fast and I’ve never had this tulip type of poplar. I’ve also read the blooms attract ruby throated hummingbirds. I’ll be setting them further back from the road.
Thanks for the inspiration.