~photo by Suzanne * April 29, 2013
When on the road, I keep my eyes open at all times, trying to take in all that's out there for me! And, you know, I'm always searching for cool and unusual things to photog and write about.
I spotted this strange tree, I guess, a little over a week ago on my way home from work-the sun was gleaming on the burgundy leaves and the fuzzy stuff was glowing.
I said, as usual, "What the...?" "What did I just see, is my vision out of focus...did I just imagine fuzzy stuff on top of a red tree?"
Well, I've been stewing about this tree ever since, and, continue to glance at it as I drive by. I finally decided I should take my camera with me to work one day, then stop by and get some shots of this masterpiece. And, maybe the homeowners would come outside and visit with me about it.
Needless to say, it was a bright sunny day when I made my detour onto the street beside this property, and, when I got to the yard, I noticed a 'BEWARE OF DOG SIGN'. Bah, Humbug!!!
The yard is completely fenced in, but I managed to get my shots, with the wind blowing to 'beat the band'. I worried that the pics would be out of focus. No sign of a dog anywhere, so you see, to get this top photo closeup, I leaned totally over the fence! No one came out of the house, and I chose not to enter the yard to knock on the door.
Then I did a little homework- I typed in 'fuzzy tree', trees with red leaves and fuzzy flowers, and fuzzy red trees, in order to find out what it is! Turns out to be a "Smoke Tree"!
This tree blooms in the spring with the fluffy plumes surrounding it like 'puffs of smoke'. Some folks refer to it as a 'poodle tree'...that's funny!
***
~photo by Suzanne
~here is the full length view of the tree
(as I straddled the fence, lol!)
Oh, and I'm still bewaring of the dog while I snap the photo!
Smoke Tree Stats
* It's a tough landscape plant that can tolerate dry conditions (a plus in Texas)
* It's capable of growing 12-15ft. with a 12ft. spread
* It's indigenous in zones 5-8 ranging from Iowa to Texas (of course!)
* Thrives in full to partial sun (Texas Ahoy!)
* Resistant to insects and other damaging pathogens
* Can survive in various soils: acidic, alkaline, sandy, clay
And, I found that it is available in other colors too! You have a golden smoke tree that turns lime green in the summer and orange to red in the fall.
And, not only is there a purple smoke tree, there is also a pink one, that also turns red and orange.
So, if any of you folks have a hankerin' for a 'smoke tree', it looks as though it could be a worthwhile project! This tree appears to be young yet, but, I think it's a fine specimen...don't you?
Thank you so much for stopping by-it is 43° in Fort Worth, Texas this evening...a drop from the 80's yesterday, and, I understand it has snowed in Kansas City this afternoon! I will have to take some plants in tonite, as it is expected to drop to around 34° by morning.
I love it!
I gathered some of my info from:
wikipedia
Hugs to you all!
Have a wonderful weekend...be safe!
See you next time!♥
Hi, dear Suzanne! 34 degrees by morning? I can hardly believe it! I must admit, though, that it's a refreshingly cool night here in Florida, but I don't think it's going to drop below the 60s overnight. We've had several days of beneficial rain beginning with a line of heavy t-storms that knocked out our power briefly. It was nothing like the hardship you recently endured.
ReplyDeleteWe have Red Smoke Trees around my community and they certainly are striking specimens. Mrs. Shady has been talking about getting one and maybe you and Karo can find a spot for one around your house. Thank you for taking the highway to the danger zone in order to snap these pictures for us. Please promise me you won't hop a farmer's fence in pursuit of your next shot and enter a pasture inhabited by a raging bull! (LOL)
Please take good care of yourself, dear friend. Bundle up tonight and know that the heat will return to Texas soon enough.
Hi Shady, well I guess I had called it a nite when you showed up here last nite. And, the temps dropped to 37°-still a record, and, we did not lose anything in the gardens. It's a shame I had to work today, the sun was so bright and the day so pretty. I don't know if I want to try a smoke tree, although it is a very extraordinary, and brightly colored tree.
DeleteGo ahead, you and Mrs. Shady could try one first, and, then we'll see how your climate handles it, lol!
Oh, I'll go to almost any length to get that 'special photo'! But, I'm not much at climbing trees anymore. There are some things we have to give up later in life, darn it!
Thank you so much for coming by...I hope you have a great weekend. And, yes-Texas will warm up soon!♫
Hi there Suzanne. I did smile at the thought of you balancing, trying to get a photo for us . That tree really is just awesome!! I've certainly never seen anything like it before. It's really pretty. I hope to spend some time out in my garden this weekend. It's starting to look quite pretty again now , and the air is now warming up at last. Take care my friend.
ReplyDeleteGood evening Thisisme! Yes, I suppose it was quite comical, my twisting and stretching to get a good shot of that tree. It was behind a fence, and I didn't want to get the fence in the photo if I could keep from it. It's a gorgeous tree! And, I have never seen one like it before either.
DeleteThank you for popping over, I hope you get to spend some time outdoors...blow a kiss to your ocean for me. What a lovely sight, your photos of the beach! It's so exhilirating! Hugs to you and yours!♥
Truly a smokin' hot tree! Have never seen one like it. Must be bad for allergies, but it is so pretty, it might be worth it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you did not get accosted by the homeowners.
I didn't think of the possible allergy annoyance this tree could bring. And, I had hoped someone would come out of the house so I could get some more insight on it. But, no barking dog, and, no one came out. I agree, it is a pretty tree.
DeleteThanks for coming by Nancy, have a great weekend!♥
Hey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this blog its very helpful to implement in our work
Regards.
Hard and soft landscape contractors
Thank you for coming by and leaving your comment. I am glad to be of help to the environment.
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