I thought this morning would be a good day to look back on the progression of fall color this year…
That sequence runs from mid November to today. My one living, breathing red tree. It’s only been the last ten years or so that the red oak has acquired it’s beautiful fall coloration. There’s something really impressive about the change watching it out the back window of the house.
That tree has become my symbol of fall. Growing up on the Texas gulf coast you really don’t see fall colors. Oh yeah, we have Chinese tallow trees and they are an impressive weed with an abundance of fall color. But… somehow it’s just not the same. The pecans just turn brown and drop their leaves early.
Our preponderance of live oaks and pines just stay green year round. Even the none live oaks that dominate my yard just don’t turn color so much… they spend most of the winter gradually dropping their leaves until by spring they are mostly gone and they begin the cycle once again.
As you can see above, right in the center of the image is a small reddish blob by the blue Ford. That’s another colorful oak I planted as a seedling about a decade ago. It’s showing really nice color already, it’ll be nice to see it come into it’s own as time goes by.
Planting trees is an aspirational pastime. There are no guarantees you’ll ever see the fruit of your labors… but future generations will.
As we move on into winter, the mornings get louder as the leaves fall. Traffic noise from the bypass cones thru louder each day. The peace and quiet of the mornings filled with the noise of civilization…
Y’all stay safe, stay healthy, and Pray for our Nation and the world. Wear your damn masks. Wash your hands often. Socially distance when out and about.
