The Corylus avellana ‘Red Majestic’ has grown in the last month — not much but enough that its head now rises above the wooden rail that marks the back edge of the border.
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| The colour of the leaves reminds me of Heuchera ‘Palace Purple.’ |
I chose this tree because of the colour of the leaves, and I continue to find them a wonderful contrast to the blue spruce and the sharp green of amsonia. Unfortunately, to see this colour contrast you have to stand at the edge of bank, a precarious position that no one of firm mind would choose.
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| The leaves rise up on spindly stems, which makes them resemble heuchera even more. |
Following a tree takes on a different meaning when you look around the garden more widely. This tree striding across a rock in the woods seems to be leading its followers somewhere special.
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| A friend who does calligraphy told me that the tree resembles the Chinese character for ‘man. |
Is he heading for the woods…
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| Tall trees cast long shadows on ferns in the woods at Glen Villa. |
Or the open fields, where a single tree is waiting to greet him?
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| Early autumn colours trees in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. |
I doubt that he will take the straight and narrow path.
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| Christmas trees in the making. |
Whatever destination I can imagine for him, I’d rather see him return to the earth than become hard as rock.
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| Petrified wood in the Egyptian desert. |
I feel a particular affection for my striding tree-man: he inspired the art installation Abenaki Walking as well as the painted tree trunks that once crossed the fields.
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| Abenaki Walkers, 2011 |
For a few more years he will remain as he is, a natural form that can be seen as a man or a dead tree or an inspiration for some other person’s dream. He is plain and simple and I hope my praise won’t make him blush.
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| I saw this piece by Sam Keith on the grounds of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. It is called « In the Shadow of Abracadabra.’ |
I like the picture of the shadow on the ferns. Years ago across the lake I tried taking ferns out of this environment and transplanting them in more open areas around the border of our property, didn’t work. Never realized there were different types, they all wilted and died!
I’ve successfully transplanted ferns both in the spring and fall. Perhaps the site you chose was too sunny.
Good to read about your Red Majestic. Lovely photos, too.
Thank you, Caroline. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
A lovely post. I love your ‘man’ tree striding out and going who knows where? Lovely photos too.
Thanks, Chloris. He’s a very special guy!
Beautiful photos, thanks for posting them. I especially like the tall trees and ferns — makes me want to be there.
The tall trees and ferns are even more amazing when you are there. So come visit one day!
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Beautiful images – and great walking trees 🙂
I’m glad you like the walking trees. So do I — I could follow them anywhere!