#smooth serviceberry

[headspace-hotel]

There, in the sunlit forest on a high ridgeline, was a tree I had never seen before.

I spend a lot of time looking at trees. I know my beech, sourwood, tulip poplar, sassafras and shagbark hickory. Appalachian forests have such a diverse tree community that for those who grew up in or around the ancient mountains, forests in other places feel curiously simple and flat.

Oaks: red, white, black, bur, scarlet, post, overcup, pin, chestnut, willow, chinkapin, and likely a few others I forgot. Shellbark, shagbark and pignut hickories. Sweetgum, serviceberry, hackberry, sycamore, holly, black walnut, white walnut, persimmon, Eastern redcedar, sugar maple, red maple, silver maple, striped maple, boxelder maple, black locust, stewartia, silverbell, Kentucky yellowwood, blackgum, black cherry, cucumber magnolia, umbrella magnolia, big-leaf magnolia, white pine, scrub pine, Eastern hemlock, redbud, flowering dogwood, yellow buckeye, white ash, witch hazel, pawpaw, linden, hornbeam, and I could continue, but y'all would never get free!

And yet, this tree is different.

We gather around the tree as though surrounding the feet of a prophet. Among the couple dozen of us, only a few are much younger than forty. Even one of the younger men, who smiles approvingly and compliments my sharp eye when I identify herbs along the trail, has gray streaking his beard. One older gentleman scales the steep ridge slowly, relying on a cane for support.

The older folks talk to us young folks with enthusiasm. They brighten when we can call plants and trees by name and list their virtues and importance. "You're right! That's Smilax." "Good eye!" "Do you know what this is?—Yes, Eupatorium, that's a pollinator's paradise." "Are you planning to study botany?"

The tree we have come to see is not like the tall and pillar-like oaks that surround us. It is still young, barely the diameter of a fence post. Its bark is gray and forms broad stripes like rivulets of water down smooth rock. Its smooth leaves are long, with thin pointed teeth along their edges. Some of the group carefully examine the bark down to the ground, but the tree is healthy and flourishing, for now.

This tree is among the last of its kind.

The wood of the American Chestnut was once used to craft both cradles and coffins, and thus it was known as the "cradle-to-grave tree." The tree that would hold you in entering this world and in leaving it would also sustain your body throughout your life: each tree produced a hundred pounds of edible nuts every winter, feeding humans and all the other creatures of the mountains. In the Appalachian Mountains, massive chestnut trees formed a third of the overstory of the forest, sometimes growing larger than six feet in diameter.

They are a keystone species, and this is my first time seeing one alive in the wild.

It's a sad story. But I have to tell you so you will understand.

At the turn of the 20th century, the chestnut trees of Appalachia were fundamental to life in this ecosystem, but something sinister had taken hold, accidentally imported from Asia. Cryphonectria parasitica is a pathogenic fungus that infects chestnut trees. It co-evolved with the Chinese chestnut, and therefore the Chinese chestnut is not bothered much by the fungus.

The American chestnut, unlike its Chinese sister, had no resistance whatsoever.

They showed us slides with photos of trees infected with the chestnut blight earlier. It looks like sickly orange insulation foam oozing through the bark of the trees. It looks like that orange powder that comes in boxes of Kraft mac and cheese. It looks wrong. It means death.

The chestnut plague was one of the worst ecological disasters ever to occur in this place—which is saying something. And almost no one is alive who remembers it. By the end of the 1940's, by the time my grandparents were born, approximately three to four billion American chestnut trees were dead.

The Queen of the Forest was functionally extinct. With her, at least seven moth species dependent on her as a host plant were lost forever, and no one knows how much else. She is a keystone species, and when the keystone that holds a structure in place is removed, everything falls.

Appalachia is still falling.

Now, in some places, mostly-dead trees tried to put up new sprouts. It was only a matter of time for those lingering sprouts of life.

But life, however weak, means hope.

I learned that once in a rare while, one of the surviving sprouts got lucky enough to successfully flower and produce a chestnut. And from that seed, a new tree could be grown. People searched for the still-living sprouts and gathered what few chestnuts could be produced, and began growing and breeding the trees.

Some people tried hybridizing American and Chinese chestnuts and then crossing the hybrids to produce purer American strains that might have some resistance to the disease. They did this for decades.

And yet, it wasn't enough. The hybrid trees were stronger, but not strong enough.

Extinction is inevitable. It's natural. There have been at least five mass extinctions in Earth's history, and the sixth is coming fast. Many people accepted that the American chestnut was gone forever. There had been an intensive breeding program, summoning all the natural forces of evolution to produce a tree that could survive the plague, and it wasn't enough.

This has happened to more species than can possibly be counted or mourned. And every species is forced to accept this reality.

Except one.

We are a difficult motherfucker of a species, aren't we? If every letter of the genome's book of life spelled doom for the Queen of the Forest, then we would write a new ending ourselves. Research teams worked to extract a gene from wheat and implant it in the American chestnut, in hopes of creating an American chestnut tree that could survive.

This project led to the Darling 58, the world's first genetically modified organism to be created for the purpose of release into the wild.

The Darling 58 chestnut is not immune, the presenters warned us. It does become infected with the blight. And some trees die. But some live.

And life means hope.

In isolated areas, some surviving American Chestnut trees have been discovered, most of them still very young. The researchers hope it is possible that some of these trees may have been spared not because of pure luck, but because they carry something in their genes that slows the blight in doing its deadly work, and that possibly this small bit of innate resistance can be shaped and combined with other efforts to create a tree that can live to grow old.

This long, desperate, multi-decade quest is what has brought us here. The tree before me is one such tree: a rare survivor. In this clearing, a number of other baby chestnut trees have been planted by human hands. They are hybrids of the Darling 58 and the best of the best Chinese/American hybrids. The little trees are as prepared for the blight as we can possibly make them at this time. It is still very possible that I will watch them die. Almost certainly, I will watch this tree die, the one that shades us with her young, stately limbs.

Some of the people standing around me are in their 70's or 80's, and yet, they have no memory of a world where the Queen of the Forest was at her full majesty. The oldest remember the haunting shapes of the colossal dead trees looming as if in silent judgment.

I am shaken by this realization. They will not live to see the baby trees grow old. The people who began the effort to save the American chestnut devoted decades of their lives to these little trees, knowing all the while they likely never would see them grow tall. Knowing they would not see the work finished. Knowing they wouldn't be able to be there to finish it. Knowing they wouldn't be certain if it could be finished.

When the work began, the technology to complete it did not exist. In the first decades after the great old trees were dead, genetic engineering was a fantasy.

But those that came before me had to imagine that there was some hope of a future. Hope set the foundation. Now that little spark of hope is a fragile flame, and the torch is being passed to the next generation.

When a keystone is removed, everything suffers. What happens when a keystone is put back into place? The caretakers of the American chestnut hope that when the Queen is restored, all of Appalachia will become more resilient and able to adapt to climate change.

Not only that, but this experiment in changing the course of evolution is teaching us lessons and skills that may be able to help us save other species.

It's just one tree—but it's never just one tree. It's a bear successfully raising cubs, chestnut bread being served at a Cherokee festival, carbon being removed from the atmosphere and returned to the Earth, a wealth of nectar being produced for pollinators, scientific insights into how to save a species from a deadly pathogen, a baby cradle being shaped in the skilled hands of an Appalachian crafter. It's everything.

Despair is individual; hope is an ecosystem. Despair is a wall that shuts out everything; hope is seeing through a crack in that wall and catching a glimpse of a single tree, and devoting your life to chiseling through the wall towards that tree, even if you know you will never reach it yourself.

An old man points to a shaft of light through the darkness we are both in, toward a crack in the wall. "Do you see it too?" he says. I look, and on the other side I see a young forest full of sunlight, with limber, pole-size chestnut trees growing toward the canopy among the old oaks and hickories. The chestnut trees are in bloom with fuzzy spikes of creamy white, and bumblebees heavy with pollen move among them. I tell the man what I see, and he smiles.

"When I was your age, that crack was so narrow, all I could see was a single little sapling on the forest floor," he says. "I've been chipping away at it all my life. Maybe your generation will be the one to finally reach the other side."

Hope is a great work that takes a lifetime. It is the hardest thing we are asked to do, and the most essential.

I am trying to show you a glimpse of the other side. Do you see it too?

#american chestnut #hope #climate change #biodiversity crisis #climate crisis #trees #plantarchy #learning to imagine the future

[treedoctorusasworld]

Bot Cankers Exposed: Protecting the Majesty of Your Ornamental Trees

Bot Canker or Botryosphaeria dothidea is a fungus that often affects various types of woody shrubs and trees and can cause extensive dieback. This pathogen invades through wounds in the bark, causing the formation of cankers. The cankers then expand and girdle twigs, branches, and even the trunk, leading to the eventual decline of the plant. Botryosphaeria dothidea is just one of many species of canker-causing fungi.

Once you identify the species, the next step is to determine the best course of treatment. Some cankers, like those caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea, are very difficult to treat and often result in tree death. In these cases, the best course of action is often to treat the affected tree(s) before the fungus has a chance to spread to healthy trees. Hence, the prompt tree canker disease treatment is crucial.

If you have a small number of trees that are not yet infected, you may be able to save them by offering care and treatment to all of the cankered branches. It will help prevent the spread of the fungus and give the trees a chance to heal.

Botryosphaeria dothidea is a destructive fungus that can quickly infect even healthy trees. If you think your trees may be affected, it’s crucial to act quickly and consult with a tree care professional. They will be able to help you determine the best course of action to save your trees.

Everything About Botryosphaeria Canker

Botryosphaeria Canker is one of the most frequent canker diseases. It is a type of tree canker disease caused by the fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea. This fungus is found throughout the world and can infect many different types of trees, including apple, oak, maple, and elm. Botryosphaeria canker often affects stressed or damaged trees.

Botryosphaeria dothidea is a species of ascomycete fungus in the genus Botryosphaeria. It is a plant pathogen and has a wide host range, including many trees and shrubs.

The fungus causes canker diseases in its hosts. However, the symptoms include dieback of branches, blackened bark, and sunken areas on the trunk or branches. The fungus can also cause fruit rot in some hosts.

The fungus produces black, slightly curved conidia (asexual spores) that are borne on branched conidiophores. The conidia are 2–3 µm in diameter and have a smooth surface. The sexual phase of the fungus has not been observed.

Botryosphaeria dothidea is cosmopolitan in distribution and has been reported from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

In North America, the fungus has been reported on more than 100 host species in 22 families. Some of the common hosts include apple (Malus Domestica), crabapple (M. sylvestris), pear (Pyrus communis), quince (Cydonia oblonga), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), mountain ash (Sorbus spp.), and serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.).

The best time to call professionals for Botryosphaeria Canker treatment is in the early spring before the fungus has a chance to produce spores. Several fungicides are effective against the fungus, but copper sulfate is the most common one used.

The fungicide is applied to the affected areas of the plant and then covered with a plastic sheet to create a humid environment. You have to repeat the treatment every two weeks until the fungus is under control.

Reasons For Bot Canker Infestation

There are several reasons why your plant may be infected with Botryosphaeria dothidea, including:

The plant is stressed or damaged

The plant is in a humid environment

The plant is in an area with poor air circulation

The plant is in an area with high temperatures

The plant is in an area with high humidity

Will It Affect Your Ornamental Trees?

Botryosphaeria Canker will affect any type of tree, including ornamental trees. The fungus is often spread by gardening tools, so it is crucial to disinfect your tools after each use.

How Does Bot Canker Affect Your Ornamental Trees?

The disease cycle begins when the fungus produces spores that are spread by wind or rain to new trees. The spores germinate and infect the tree through wounds in the bark. The fungus then grows inside the tree, causing Cankers to form. The Cankers may be small at first, but they will eventually enlarge and infect the branches or trunk of the tree.

If the Canker goes unnoticed, the newest leaves are generally the first indication of a problem. Tiny, black fruiting bodies of the fungus will appear on the underside of these leaves. These lesions will eventually turn brown and cause the leaves to fall off prematurely.

As the disease progresses, Cankers will form on the twigs, branches, and trunk. The Cankers are oval or round and are sunken in the center. You will often find them surrounded by a yellow halo. However, the Cankers may ooze sap or other fluids.

Severely infected trees will exhibit dieback of the leaves and branches. The tree may also produce abnormal growths, such as galls or burls.

Botryosphaeria canker is a severe disease of fruit trees, such as apples, peaches, and plums. The fungus can also infect other types of trees, such as oaks and pines.

The best way to prevent Bot Canker is to plant disease-resistant trees. If you already have trees that are susceptible to the disease, you can help prevent it by watering the trees during dry periods and fertilizing them according to the manufacturer’s directions. You should also avoid wounding the trees.

Prevention Tips

Plant disease-resistant trees

Water trees during dry periods

Fertilize according to the manufacturer’s directions

Avoid wounding the trees

Symptoms Of Bot Canker

Symptoms of Botryosphaeria Canker include small, black spots on the leaves, twigs, and fruit of the tree. The spots are actually tiny fruiting bodies of the fungus. As the disease progresses, the spots enlarge and turn brown. The leaves may then turn yellow and fall off prematurely. Cankers may also form on the trunk and branches of the tree. So, Botryosphaeria fungus treatment from experts will help retain the health of infected trees.

Damages Caused By Bot Canker

Botryosphaeria Canker is a serious disease of fruit trees, such as apples, peaches, and plums. The fungus can also infect other types of trees, such as oaks and pines. The disease can cause dieback of the leaves and branches, and may also damage the tree.

What To Do After You Diagnose Bot Canker?

Botryosphaeria fungus and canker are difficult to control once it has infected a tree. Pruning out infected twigs and branches can help to slow the spread of the disease. Tree wounds should be promptly sealed with pruning paint or wound sealant to prevent the fungus from entering. Fungicide applications may also be necessary to protect against Botryosphaeria Canker. Always read and follow the label directions when using any pesticide. Connect tree health care specialists for accurate treatment and fungicide applications to safeguard your infected and healthy trees.

Encourage Healthy Growth Of Ornamental Trees To Prevent Bot Canker

There are several ways to help prevent Bot Canker, including:

Encourage the healthy growth of your ornamental trees by watering them regularly and fertilizing them as needed.

Treat dead or dying branches from your trees, as these can provide entry points for the Botryosphaeria fungus.

Remove any fallen leaves or branches from infected trees, as the fungus can overwinter in such debris.

Avoid wounding your trees, as this can also provide an entry point for the fungus.

Take proper care, and follow all the essential steps to improve the health of the tree.

Offer balanced nutrients to your trees and plants to enhance their immunity and vigor.

Conclusion

If you find evidence of Bot Canker on your trees, prompt treatment is essential to prevent the spread of the disease. Several fungicides are available commercially for treating Bot Canker, and you should apply them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to focus on any areas of the tree where the fungus is most active, such as cankers, dead branches, or leaf spots. With proper care and treatment of Tree Canker disease, you can help keep your ornamental trees healthy and free of infestation.

Original Source: Is Bot Canker or Botryosphaeria dothidea the Cause of Your Ornamental Trees’ Decay?

#tree doctor #treee #tree healthcare #tree service #Family Tree Healthcare #Tree Disease Specialist #Tree Health Specialist

[gaygardenhell]

march 28

digging a hole for the smooth serviceberry tree we're picking up saturday! i am sick of the rocks but digging them up is also super satisfying.

katie transferred some johnny jump-up seedlings to the side flowerbed.

lilac cuttings went in yesterday. so far so good!

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

Smooth serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) has edible, delicious fruit. The correct way to eat the fresh berries is to gather as many as possible into both your hands and to cram them all into your mouth. Then you bite down. I eagerly await the spring for this purpose. They taste like a mix of apples, blueberries, cherries, and grapes. You can also make jam of them or add them to smoothies.

More info on Plants for a Future.

#native Ontario plant species with edible parts #deciduous trees #flowering plants #flowers #edible plants #native North American species #plants I want #smooth serviceberry #Allegheny shadberry #Amelanchier laevis #serviceberries #Canadian fruit

[musictherapy611]

Daily Tree: amelanchier laevis

In English please: Smooth Shadbush, Smooth Serviceberry, Allegheny Serviceberry

Grows: eastern half, continental US

Wikipedia page: here

Photo 1: plants . oaklandnursery . com/12130001/Plant/17769/Lustre_Allegheny_Serviceberry/

Photo 2: https : // wildridgeplants . com/shop/amelanchier-laevis-mooth-serviceberry/

#Daily Tree #Trees of the US #Trees #Amelanchier Laevis #Smooth Shadbush #Smooth Serviceberry #Allegheny Serviceberry

[shrubbucket20]

Top Ten Flowering Shrubs for Shade Online

Check out the top 10 shade-loving shrubs that will fill your garden with beauty and colors. Choose from the wide collection available in all sizes and shapes.

#Big Leaf Hydrangea #Smooth Hydrangea #Oakleaf Hydrangea #Azaleas #Mountain Laurel #Japanese Andromeda #Sweetspire #Daphne #Serviceberry #Rhododendron

[foragingincanadamb]

Eastern Serviceberry

Find: farms,yards.growing with in woodlands.

Description:Bark is smooth and grey with darker, twisted vertical lines. Bark becomes rough and develops scales with age. Twigs are slender with narrow appressed buds that are twisted with a tapered point, and typically have 5 scales.

Edible parts and uses:edible berry.

Precautions:no side effects.

Gooseberry-Northern-Swamp

Find:Meadow,feild,older farms and woodlands.

Description:3 to 5 indented lobes and a heart-shaped base. Lobes are cleft 1/3 or more toward the mid-rib. The leaf stems (petioles) are hairy with tiny short glands. Lower leaf surfaces and edges are hairy. One to three leaves occur in a cluster.is a cluster of 1 to 3 greenish-yellow flowers arising on hairy stalks from near the leaf axis, occasionally solitary. Flower stalks are not jointed, unlike the currants that are in this same plant family.

Edible parts and uses:Fruit.

Precautions:no side effects.

Grape-Riverbank

Find:wild grapes can be found along streams, ponds, roads, and in open woods clambering up trees.

Description:Wild grapes use tendrils to anchor onto branches or other surfaces. Their bark is gray/brown and rather shredded looking. They tend to grow higher and thicker than their cultivated counterparts, yet another reason they are termed wild grape weeds since grown unchecked they can overtake other plant species.

Edible parts and uses:Grapes and leaves.

Precautions:no side effects.

Hawthorn

Find:often grow in large, dense thickets.

Description:There is a main trunk that on average, at maturity, can reach between 15 and 20 cm (about 8”) in diametre. Hawthorn bark is gray with shallow, longitudinal fissures with narrow ridges. In younger trees, the bark is smooth and gray, as seen on a branch of the hawthorn . As they age, the bark darkens into a shade of brown and develops fissures and ridges.Hawthorns have thorny branches. The thorns are smaller branches that arise from a larger branch, and are typically 1 to 3 cm long. These thorns tend to be sharp. This deciduous tree has alternate branching, in which the twigs (or thorns) are not directly opposite each other.The common hawthorn typically grows 3 to 6 metres (10 to 20') in height.

Edible parts and uses:Leaves can be gathered in spring for use in salads or at any time (before they change colour) for teas.Flower petals can be used in salads in spring. Hawthorn berries typically taste better after a frost but can be used before a frost depending on your taste buds. Berries can be used to make jams, jellies, and in baked goods. Leaves, flowers and berries can be used to make a tea. Use hawthorn tea to make rice, quinoa or couscous.

Precautions:There are no “poisonous” Hawthorns except for the seeds.

Lingonberry

Find:thrive in both full sun and partial shade.

Description:Harvest of August to mid September.

Edible parts and uses:Berries or made into Schnapps,syrups,jelly,jam,preserves.

Precautions:The berries need to be cooked first before they can be eaten. They are not tasty raw.

Mulberries

Find:It can be found in older fields, roadsides, forest edges, urban environments, and other disturbed areas. It prefers a warm, moist, well-drained loamy soil in a sunny position.most frequently in mixed-hardwood forests.

Description:Mulberries can have both male and female flowers on the same tree, but they can also be on separate trees. Leaves are about 8 cm long, coarse, heart shaped, with toothed edges. Can be hairy on top and downy underneath. Some lower leaves and those on new shoots can be lobed, or with deep incisions.

Edible parts and uses:Mulberries can be eaten raw or made into luscious preserves, pies, and wine.

Precautions:For those who can't tolerate salicylates, blueberries might cause a rash, headaches or a host of gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, reflux, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Blueberry juice is especially high in salicylates.

Nannyberry

Find:part shade, sun; moist soil; hardwood forest openings, swamps, fens, wet meadows, lake shores, river banks.

Description:Dense, rounded flower clusters 2 to 3½ inches across at tips of one-year old branches. Flowers are creamy white, about ¼ inch across, bell to saucer-shaped with 5 rounded lobes. In the center is a single, short style and 5 long, yellow-tipped stamens that extend far beyond the mouth of the floral tube. The calyx around the base of the flower has a short tube and 5 small, triangular lobes. Flower stalks are hairless and green to red.Leaves are simple and opposite, lance-elliptic to nearly oval, 2 to 4 inches long, 1¼ to 2¼ inches, wide with an abrupt taper to a sharply pointed tip, and rounded at the base. The leaf stalk is ½ to 1¼ inch long, typically flattened with irregular wings. Surfaces are hairless, the upper surface dark green and shiny, lower surface paler, mostly smooth or with very tiny scale-like covering. Edges have crowded, short, sharp teeth.Twigs are grayish brown, slender and straight, the buds pinkish-brown, slender and up to ½ inch long with flower buds appearing swollen at the base.Older bark becomes dark gray with deeply checkered furrows, lower stems up to 5½ inches diameter. Main stems are typically multiple from base, often forming think colonies from root suckers. 

Edible parts and uses: Fruit

Precautions:no side effects.

Prairie Ground Cherry

Find:part shade, sun; sandy prairies, waste areas, open woods, thickets.

Description:Leaves are up to 4 inches long and 3 inches wide, alternately attached, softly hairy with a few coarse teeth around the edges and a stalk averaging 1 inch long. The shape is somewhat irregular, but is generally egg-shaped with a rounded base and pointed tip. The color is often a bit yellowish green and the edges may be a little wavy. Stems are branched, weakly angled, and covered in long soft hairs.Fruit is a green berry that turns yellow when ripe. The persistent calyx inflates and becomes a papery shell shaped like an inverted tear drop that swells up and dries to tan as the fruit matures.

Edible parts and uses:Berries

Precautions:Unripe ground cherries are sour and contain solanine and solanidine, which are toxic compounds that in small amounts can cause nassia and diarrhea, plant are toxic except for the ripe fruit.

Raspberry Stemless-Wild Red

Find:Full sun to partial shade.

Description:3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.Summer to fall for harvest.

Edible parts and uses:Berries and leaves.

Precautions:no side effects.

Red-Osier Dogwood

Find:part shade, sun; open wetlands.also been used somewhat frequently in landscape plantings.

Description:Leaves are simple and opposite, 2 to 4 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide, lance to egg-shaped, the tip tapered to point, the base rounded to a 1/3 to 1 inch stalk. The upper surface is dark green with 5 or 6 lateral veins per side, smooth or variably covered in fine appressed hairs; the lower surface is paler, more typically with short, soft hairs. Edges are smooth.Twigs are reddish green during the growing season becoming deep red in the dormant season and flecked with an occasional grayish white lenticel (pore). The surface is mostly smooth and shiny or with very fine, straight, appressed hairs on the very tip internodes. Older bark lower on the lower stems can become roughish gray in part. Stems are typically in dense multiples from the ground, much branched above.Fruit is a round, berry-like drupe, about ¼ inch diameter, white, the cluster stalks green to dull purplish red.

Edible Parts and uses:The berries are somewhat palatable, some people believe the whiter berries are less bitter than the bluer berries.

Precautions:can cause vomiting and mild symptoms of toxicity when consumed in large quantities.

#Eastern #serviceberry #gooseberry #grapes #grape vines #hawthorn #Lingonberry #Mulberries #Nannyberry #ground cherries #Raspberry #Dogwood #berries #fruit #trees #bush #Prairie #farm #homemade #homesteading #canning #freeze #jar #foraging #free #food #herbs #plant #sweet #green

[missouri-witchcraft]

Serviceberry Correspondences & Associations

The amelanchier arborea (common/downy serviceberry) is one of those niche Missouri trees that almost no one has written witchcraft correspondences for, so this is gonna be a super short one. It's edible though!

ASSOCIATIONS

Animals

birds broadly

Correspondences

fishing

hunting

love

merriment

well-being

Because this post is very short and I have a few other extremely short ones, have some bonus trees too!

Privet Correspondences & Associations

The forestiera acuminata (eastern swamp privet) is native to Missouri. It's very good at withstanding flooding, and wild ducks love its fruit.

ASSOCIATIONS

Animals

duck

CORRESPONDENCES

communication

resolving arguments

smoothing

soothing

Blackhaw Correspondences

There are two blackhaws (or black haws) that are native to Missouri - the viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw/black haw, blackhaw viburnum, sweet haw, or stag bush) and the viburnum rufidulum (blue haw, rusty/southern blackhaw/black haw, or rusty nanny-berry).

Correspondences

business

employment

gambling

invisibility

luck

manifestation

money

power

protection

#jasper post #missouri magic #missouri magick #missouri pagan #missouri paganism #missouri witchcraft #missouri witch #missouri #correspondences and associations #herbs and other plants #serviceberry #privet #blackhaw

[vandaliatraveler]

Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a small, elegant understory tree of Appalachia’s sheltered slopes and open woods. The tree’s bright, white blossoms are instantly recognizable against the pale browns and grays of the early spring forest. By early summer, the delicate flowers have been replaced by edible, purple-black berries, whose sweet, blueberry-like flavor is legendary among old timers. The fruit makes excellent jams and jellies. The range of downy serviceberry overlaps with that of Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis), and the two trees are known to hybridize. Allegheny serviceberry is distinguished from its close relative by its smooth (rather than hairy) leaves, which are a purple to bronze color when new. Both trees are extensively cultivated as ornamentals due to their graceful, mounding habits and incandescent orange-yellow to red fall foliage. The above photos were taken along Quarry Run in Coopers Rock State Forest

#appalachia #vandalia #west virginia #spring #flora #wildflowers #downy serviceberry #amelanchier #quarry run #coopers rock state forest

[plantanarchy]

the audubon society plants list finally loaded kids let’s do a brief (haha) cold medicine induced analysis of what the heck they’re recommending for my local area (western PA) and whether it could grow in my shitty yard (if i’m unfamiliar with it i’m skipping it just to be fair)

It’s alphabetical by common name I guess so ok i’m doing this under a cut I supppose

Allegheny Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens) - this plant is indeed one you see kinda often...... on the very edge of the Allegheny river literally growing as a marginal plant. not ideal unless you got a pond or live in a swamp

Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) - this is one you see growing in the woods near swamps so nope, not in this drought hellscape of a yard

Alternate-Leaf Dogwood  (Cornus alternifolia) - another understory moisture loving tree/shrub... next

American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) - again, moisture loving woodland tree. European Beeches are overall more drought tolerant so if you see a beech in the city or suburbs, it’s probably not an American Beech. also, in my area, you can’t find an American Beech that isn’t suffering from Beech bark disease unfortunately

American Black Elderberry  (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis) - These are good plants and grow all along the shady woodsides here. Same issue though, they like moisture and at least partial shade. And the ornamental varieties you can find at garden centers tend to be European hybrids with fancy leaves

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) - shadey woodland lad again. They’re also very very weedy idk that anyone would want this in their garden.

American Witch-Hazel  (Hamamelis virginiana) - a good plant. still needs moist soil but I think would probably be ok. It looks really cool planted near grasses because it blooms in fallish

Big Bluestem  (Andropogon gerardi) - finally a prairie plant!! it’s my boy big bluestem. unfortunately, it can look kinda wild and weedy for a suburban garden unless you do it right.

Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) - handsome, good, nice berries, good fall foliage, excellent choice, prefers full sun but still likes it a bit moist and will drop all its bottom leaves and turn fall colors early if you underwater it oops i definitely  never was responsible for that at work with b&b aronias.

Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) - oh word we got these in our garden and the birds actually like the red ones better rip

Black-Eyed-Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) - that’s right babey it’s Susan. this baby will reseed all day in sun or shade and birds love that shit. downfall is the species plant is prone to rust and cultivars do a bit better.

Butterfly Milkweed  (Asclepias tuberosa) - Good and Wholesome friend. I don’t recommend this as baby’s first milkweed though because they can be slow to establish and kinda disappointing and small and if you get caterpillars on it the first year, it may not survive.

Cardinal-Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) - my mom actually has managed to keep a Lobelia alive in the shadiest, wettest part of her garden but listen...... this is a marginal or swamp plant. Put it in the swamp.

Common Buttonbush  (Cephalanthus occidentalis) - it’s the bae

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) - do not try to buy this as an established plant at a garden center, they will look at you funny and point at the roadsides. Either wait until fall seedpod time and go harvest some or buy some seeds online

Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) - I had no idea this was native actually but it’s cool because it gets big white ORBS

Common Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) - it’s got stems. it’s got berries. it can grow wherever. what more could you want??? english holly who?????

Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - actually often confusingly hybridized with European Yarrows so no one knows whether they’re ~true~ natives or not. Who cares they will survive anything except a swamp. They will live in a drought ass no topsoil suburban neighborhood like a CHAMP. they were made for this.

Dense Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) - just including this one because it sounds like a Good Omens joke

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) - put that baby tree back in the moist woodlands where it came from or so help me

Gray-Head Mexican-Hat  (Ratibida pinnata) - ayyy prairie plant, though this isn’t the species you commonly see for sale at garden centers and this one is decidedly less phallic than R. columnifera so that’s a bummer.

Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) - we half killed this at work because it doesn’t love pot culture or me but someone still bought it all. don’t put this in your dry ass suburban neighborhood or she will hate you too

Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) - i call this myrica pensylvanica but whatever. birds love it. so do japanese beetles unfortunately

Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) - it’s a sedge

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) - unlike other columbine, this bitch likes full sun and probably will grow and reseed anywhere

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) - another understory-ish moisture loving tree but a lot of the cultivars do just fine in the middle of sad suburban yards. also good. blooms wherever it wants while nakey.

Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma) - you will only ever find cultivars of this but who knows, they may slightly more mildew resistant for at least a little while

Shag-Bark Hickory (Carya ovata) - big, handsome, looks like it’s seconds away from falling apart at all times. just how i like my men.

Smooth Oxeye (Heliopsis helianthoides) - please let the one in my mom’s yard know that it’s meant to survive dry soils in full sun

Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata) - my favorite bee balm but doesn’t have the Wow factor of M. didyma cultivars. It likes the sun and dry though

Spotted Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens capensis) - wholesome friend! But no one in their right mind would plant this on purpose in their garden also it would be wilt-city out here in the drought ass topsoil-less surburbs. these babies used to grow between the greenhouses and I used to water them like some kinda of bleeding heart

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) - she can actually live pretty well in the middle of drought ass suburban yard and spreads easily by seed but expect half the lower leaves to yellow and drop off by midsummer. poor darling. put her back in the swamp. This is the most reliable commerically available milkweed you will find because it takes to pot culture way better than other milkweeds (rip all the butterfly weed horticulture land kills yearly)

Sweet-Bay (Magnolia virginiana) - more like sweet bae am I right???? actually she wouldn’t live in my yard. needs some afternoon shade and moist, rich soil.

Sweet-Scented Joe-Pye-Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) - It’s Joe!!!!! Will grow all over. Will get 7 feet tall with massive flowers just because he can. Will grow in a swamp, will grow on a hillside, will grow beside Wal-Mart. Joe don’t care. I still call it Eupatorium because I resist change and actually I’m not 100% sure if this or E. fistulosum that is most common around here.

Tall Tickseed (Coreopsis tripteris) - coreopsis is a really popular genus to see on native plant lists but there aren’t many native to my area of Pennsylvania and you won’t find anything but C. verticillata or C. lanceolata cultivars in garden centers. BUt  apparently this bitch can get NINE FEET TALL i’m swooning

Trumpet-Creeper (Campsis radicans) - ok, i’d avoid planting this baby unless you know exactly what you’re doing. she may be native but she can and will do her best to eat your home and foundation and your garden in general. she will do her rhizomey best to runner away from you into the wilderness. fun to grow across a pergola though but she will EAT your TREES and your HOME

Virginia-Creeper  (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) - ????? no one is going to deliberately plant this, Audubon Society

Wand Panic Grass (Panicum virgatum) - this is why I think making these lists with common name first is so hilarious because what????? I know this as “Switchgrass” which sounds nice and normal wtf is a Wand Panic Grass. that’s what i’m going to call bad bottom dysphoria episodes from now on

White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) - likes it wet and shaded so wouldn’t do nice in my yard. also why even BOTHER planting this plant unless you’re going to do the cultivar ‘Hot Lips’ (jk probably the white one is more native insects friendly)

Wild Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) - she’s cute and all but if you want a Hydrangea just go full cliche H. paniculata cultivar or nothing. This plant would hate my whole entire yard and then die

anyway, that’s all the plants on the list I felt like rambling about on this fine Tuesday morning. Overall, idk how helpful a list like this would be for first time gardeners, because they would run into the issue of not being able to actually their hands on most of these plants.

Very few on the list would actually be suitable for growing in a new suburban neighborhood or an urban garden. This is an area naturally full of sensitive, woodland, rich, moist soil-loving plants... and unfortunately, those areas are disappearing more and more under new developments and the native pollinators and wildlife are going along with them.

#i really just did that and rambled about a whole lot of plants for no good reason #long post #idk what to tag this as

[bypassreality]

I put a net around the serviceberry to keep out the deer, and those creatures went UNDER the net and broke off half of the plant! Either that or someone snipped it - the break is clean and smooth.

I'm so upset. This poor tree... I need to do better.

[rar4oby]

BEST TREES FOR SMALLER YARDS

FIELD MAPLE

Often used as a hedge plant, this deciduous tree produces five-lobed, red-tinted leaves in spring which turn mid-green toward summer. They then take on yellow and red hues in fall. The tiny greenish-yellow flowers attract pollinators in spring, and small mammals eat the wing seed heads in fall. Tolerant of a wide range of sites andsoils, this maple makes a beautiful addition to a wildlife garden.

While it can grow tall, pruning the main trunk when the tree is young will limit its growth.

SMOOTH SERVICEBERRY

Grow this small deciduous tree for its coppery-pink spring leaves, which turn green in summer before taking on yellow and red fall tints. The fragrant, starry, white spring blossom is followed in summer by edible, sweet, blue-black fruits, which are loved by birds. It makes a beautiful feature tree amid informal planting in a small city yard, or in a meadow area in a larger space. Undemanding, it will grow in most soils and needs very little aftercare once it is established.

RIVER BIRCH

Also known as the red or black birch, this impressive tree has shaggy pinkish-brown and white bark that makes an eye-catching feature in winter and green, diamond-shaped leaves that turn buttery-yellow in fall. Its yellow spring catkins add to its charms. Ideal for boggy or wet soils, this tree is equally happy in drier conditions, and provides a good habitat for insects and birds. Buy a multi-stemmed tree, which will limit its growth, and plant it in a border or close to a natural water feature.

Read also : TIPS FOR BUYING NEW PLANTS

[alittlenomadchristina]

41 Free Things To Do In Branson, MO

Branson offers great things to explore and experience to visitors of all ages.

It's a popular vacation spot for millions of people around the country every year because there are so many things to do that are free - like family activities, parks and gardens, tours and sightseeing and more.

Branson is the second name of the “Live Entertainment Capital” of the world, one of the nation’s most affordable & family-friendly vacation spots.

Discover the best and most fun activities and free things to do in Branson, MO:

  Branson Skate Park

Branson’s Skate Park is a perfect venue for sports lover and specially designed for skateboards, roller skates, and roller blades.

Table Rock State Park

Table-Rock-State-Park is best for fun water activities. A perfect site for hiking, mountain biking, camping, SCUBA diving excursions.

Avenue of Freedom

Can you imagine a beautiful collection of 100 American flags wave in the spring, summer, and autumn breeze?  Here, you can honor those who gave their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Inspiration Tower

When you book your vacation package through Branson Travel Office you’ll receive FREE tickets to the Shepherd of the Hills’ Inspiration Tower – for everyone traveling with you!

DOWNTOWN TROLLEY

Want to have an overview of some of Branson’s landmarks? The Trolley passes through Old Historic Downtown Branson, the Convention Center and the Branson Landing.

Month & Time:  March-December daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.   

Two trollies running at the same time

6. BRANSON LANDING FOUNTAIN SHOWS

The Branson Landing Fountain is a hotspot for both visitors and locals. This $7.5 million water shoots 120 feet straight into the air with a beautiful music and fire show for free every hour on the hour starting at noon.

College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks is one of the top colleges in the nation and has a beautiful campus worth exploring.

Moonshine Beach

Moonshine beach is one of the best places to enjoy and do some fun activities in Branson. Enjoy the sunshine and the beauty of this man-made sand beach with the whole family.

9. Curling Vine Winery

Experience an entertaining, free tour of winemaking at the family-run Curling Vine Winery. Their knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides make the story and traditions of winemaking fun for all ages. After the tour, you have the chance to sample Missouri-made wines. For kids and designated drivers, the winery provides special homemade grape juices.

Lakeside Wilderness Area

Lakeside Wilderness Area offers plenty of great scenery to enjoy. Discover the beauty of forest and woodlands in the heart of Branson. This area features over four miles of hiking trails, a waterfall, a cave, and a picnic area.

Branson Centennial Museum

Take a look at the rich history of Branson at the town’s free Centennial Museum. Learn about the history and founding of Branson. This free museum features rotating exhibits on the Civil War, railroads, bridges.

Branson Festivals and Events

Branson is well-known for its colorful art shows, music festivals and other fun events that are always free and open to the public. Check city and park calendars for upcoming events and free programs.

The Shrine of the Holy Spirit

Enjoy a moment of peace in the Shrine of the holy spirit. This is a beautiful, wondrous structure. The Shrine also offers a courtyard, sparkling fountain and plenty of seating areas.

  14. Table Rock Dam

Established in 1958, this massive engineering structure gave birth to Table Rock Lake. Crowds come to witness this powerful structure keep the waters of the White River at bay. Don’t forget to bring your camera with you so you can capture the beauty of this majestic place and it is best to visit early in the day if you want to avoid huge crowds.

15. Dewey Short Visitor Center

The Dewey Short Center is located across the dam and on the shores of the Table Rock Lake. There are interactive displays and exhibits regarding the native wildlife and the construction of the dam. It offers swimming and fishing sites as well as picnic areas, which can be used for no cost at all. You will also find some hiking trails starting and ending at the Dewey Short Visitor Center.

Henning State Forest

Covering an area of about 1,534 acres, the Henning State Forest offers scenic views and spectacular trails. You can get some breathtaking views of the countryside from an incredible lookout area and there is also a naturalist available to answer any of your questions. Throughout the forest, there is lots of wildlife to be seen, including the native birds, so it is best to take your camera along with you!

17. Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery

Located just below the Table Rock Dam, the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery is one of the most popular tourist sites in Branson. There are a number of beautiful aquariums in the center that showcase the native fish in Missouri. Families can take a walk through the fish hatchery and learn more about the glorious and native fish.

18. Lake Taneycomo

Fishermen from all around the country come to visit this downtown Branson Lake. Even if you are not into fishing, there are a variety of other activities like scuba diving, boating, hiking and picnicking that you can enjoy here. Lake Taneycomo doesn’t just offer lots of recreational activities such as fishing and hiking, but is also easily accessible, as it is located near the Branson Landing and Historic Downtown Branson.

 Lindwedel Winery

Located high on the hills in the Ozark Mountain, this winery overlooks scenic Branson. Guests can absorb the splendid views while they relax on the veranda or tour the winery where they can try out their delectable wines and signature cocktails! The good thing is that wine tasting is free of charge!

20.  Table Rock Lakeshore Trail

Starting from the Dewey Short Visitor Center, this beautiful trail goes on for 2.2 miles and ends at the Table Rock State Park Marina. You can hike or bike the trail in the spring season and you will come across a wide array of wildflower species and watch the serviceberry, redbud and dogwood trees in full bloom. If you decide to visit during the fall season, you will be able to see the colorful fall foliage of nature. Moreover, this place also offers stunning views of Table Rock Lake.

 Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area

Go northeast of Branson and you get the opportunity to explore more than 1,500 acres of woodland, forest, and glade habitat. This preserve features a permanent stream called Roark Creek, the White River Balds Natural area, and some gorgeous hiking trails. It is also home to various locations that were mentioned in ‘Shepherd of the Hills’, the classic book written by Harold Bell Wright.

 Copper Run Distillery

This award-winning distillery is a must-see for all whiskey fans and it specializes in vodka, molasses rum, and smooth corn whiskey (moonshine). You can take a free tour of the Copper Run Distillery where you‘ll learn the secrets of small-batch, handcrafted spirits.

23. Ballparks of America

Get some crackerjacks and peanuts and find a seat at the Ballparks of America facility for a thrilling baseball game! Here kids will be able to enjoy the best youth baseball tournament experience and you can attend and watch the games for free. The unique interior of the facility is designed to replicate the five American league baseball stadiums, which include the Detroit Stadium, Brooklyn Field, Chicago Field, Boston Park, and St. Louis Stadium.

24. The Stone Hill Winery

Visit the most awarded and oldest winery in Missouri to take a firsthand look at how Spumante is made. The Stone Hill Winery has a vast complex and gives free hour-long tours. Guests can first see a film on the tradition of winemaking in Missouri before they learn how sherry is made and how wine bottling is done. The tour comes to an end in one of the six wine tasting rooms, where visitors can sample a wide array of wines of Stone Hill. The wines range from the fruity and sweet Pink Catawba and Concord to the full-bodied, dry Norton, which is a red wine that has garnered international recognition. As for the kids, there are plenty of juices available for them to enjoy.

25. Branson Theaters

There are numerous Branson theaters that open their doors every Sunday morning for old-time get-togethers. Everything is done Ozark style and you can see your favorite Branson musicians and entertainers performing traditional gospel music and mingle with the locals, tourists and some of the town’s celebrities. Worship services are also hosted by some theaters, complete with testimonies and preaching.

26. Historic Downtown Branson

Since undergoing a transformation, the Historic Downtown Branson now drives heavy foot traffic. You can stroll and walk around freely through the beautiful streets and explore the new Liberty Plaza. There are some impressive historic buildings like the one that survived a huge fire in the 1990s and now houses a jewelry and bead shop called the Plum Bazaar, which opens seven days a week. Dick’s 5 & 10 is another must-see for anyone who visits Branson, as it is laden with everything you could possibly imagine!

Veterans Memorial Garden

For decades, this garden has honored American active duty personnel, veterans, and their families. It serves as a living tribute to the veterans and it has transformed into a spectacle of beauty under the expertise of Master Gardener Ben Kinel. Many other volunteers have put in considerable efforts and benefactors have also contributed money for this place. The beauty of the plantings and flowers changes with the season, but the honor and essence of what the garden represents remains constant.

Stockstill Park

There is a horde of activities that you can take part in at the Stockstill Park. It also has a creek that’s filled with fish and other forms of wildlife. Other than that, you can also find a skate park, tennis courts, and two large playground sets as well. If you are looking for a place that is perfect for families and offers fun activities and things to do in Branson MO, look no further than Stockstill Park!

Super Summer Car Cruise

The Super Summer Car Cruise boasts more than 400 vehicles on display that can be found in the Show ‘n Shine and it takes place in the second week of August. You can take part in a thrilling midnight night cruise across the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway that showcases more than 400 exotic vehicles! Find a place to fit in or sit by your favorite spot to enjoy the exciting show.

Mini-Golf

There are more than a dozen mini-golf courses that are spread out throughout Branson, which means visitors can find options for every skill level and age. However, the best deal that you will come across is the FREE round of mini-golf that you can get from Branson Travel Office when you use it for booking attractions, shows, lodgings, cabins and more.

North Beach Park

This park is located on the north end of the Boardwalk and is a splendid city park with picnic tables, benches, old-growth trees, fishing docks and plenty of room where people can relax and unwind, play horseshoes and throw Frisbees. It is a wonderful spot for going fishing, taking a scenic walk or for walking your pets.

Taneyhills Library

There is a community library in Branson that’s situated on the Pacific Street and is known to be quite an impressive one. To check out the movies and books, you will have to become a member, but you can freely browse the collections or take your children for spending some quality time in the Children’s wing.

33. Branson Parades

If there is one thing Branson knows how to do, it is how to put on a parade. Every year, they hold the massive Veterans Day Parade to support the nation’s military heroes during one of the largest celebrations in the country - the Veterans Week. In the first week of December, there is also a Christmas parade. This Adoration Parade is fully non-commercial because its purpose is to remind people of the ‘reason for the season’. There is another parade that’s held on the first of November for kicking off the Christmas season. The live entertainment industry of Branson is highlighted by the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Parade. This parade moves through Branson Landing whereas the other two take a route through Historic Downtown Branson.

 The Strip

Branson’s Strip is known all over the world and you can take a drive along the road to enjoy the glow of neon, the glitz, and glamor of the theaters and the multitude of restaurants and attractions. Presley’s theatre, the Titanic Museum Attraction, the World’s Largest Toy Museum, Lost Treasure Mini-Golf, Grand Country Resort, Great American Steak & Chicken, Pasghetti’s Italian Restaurant, the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium that was seemingly damaged by an earthquake, and the Hollywood Wax Museum are just a couple of places that make for a fun sightseeing trip - making it one of the best things to do in Branson MO!

The White River Valley Trail System

Located on the south side of the Lake Taneycomo, the White River Valley Trail System refers to a series of mountain-biking trails that were opened in 2011. The Coalition for Recreational Trails gave it a national award in the same year. It is a 6-mile hike, which includes the two trails that are called Red Trail and Blue Trail respectively. There is also a connector trail between them that stretches for half a mile. A tranquil pond can be found on the connector trail where you can take a break and have some quality food.

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

Established in 1921, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church has served Branson since day one. Even though it has changed its locations several times, it remains true to its purpose and more than 3,000 parishioners visit the church every Sunday for attending The Mass and they also welcome visitors and guests. The Mass schedule is as follows:

Saturday: 5:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00 AM

Friday: 9:00 AM

Branson Mill

The largest craft village in Branson is none other than the Branson Mill and it is every visitor’s dream destination for unique and handmade gifts. This craft mall is climate-controlled and is spread over 40,000 square feet. Here, the craftsmen and women of the city demonstrate their skills and talent and create one-of-a-kind gifts.

 Williams Memorial Chapel

Developed in 1956, the Chapel has an impressive structure that stands 150 feet tall and 80 feet wide. It is regarded as an exceptional example of neo-Gothic architecture and it boasts a vaulted ceiling that’s 80-foot high and has beautiful stained glass windows. It also has the Hyer Bell Tower that’s attached to the chapel. Sunday services start at 11 AM and can be attended by the public for free.

 The Gaetz Tractor Museum

There is a variety of antique farm equipment and tractors to be found at the Gaetz Tractor Museum and some noteworthy items that you should check out, including a reaper that was made in 1910 and a gray Wallis hailing from 1918.

Creation Experience Museum

This is a Bible-based museum that supports the history of the Bible through the use of science. This includes paleontology, anthropology, geology, biology, and archaeology. Special attention is given to the dinosaurs. Tours are conducted by trained tour guides from Wednesday through Saturday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. As for tours of the nature trails, you can make an appointment for them. The admission is free of charge and families are welcomed and taken on guided tours where they witness the stunning artifacts, fossils, and artwork. There is also an extensive biblical store and the museum is open year-round to welcome visitors from all regions.

Crown Valley Distillery

This is the first distillery in Branson that specializes in Whiskeys and Bourbons. Several tasting options are offered to the crowd and other than Whiskey, the visitors can also taste their wines, ciders, beers, and spirits - making it one of the most remarkable things to do in Branson, MO! The atmosphere is family friendly and the products made in Missouri such as the Big Bison Meat Products and the Country Folk craft soda line are showcased here. You can visit on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

  Original Post Here: 41 Free Things To Do In Branson, MO

[cornussericeaeffectv-blog]

Cornus Sericea Tree Effect

Cornus sericea is symbolic of Cornus stolonifera.  Cornus indicates horn or antler, or “the decorative buttons at the end of the cyndrical tube on which historical manuscripts were rolled”—which may make reference to the timber or the knobby-looking inflorescence of some dogwoods.  Sericea indicates enclosed in excellent, smooth hair, which are found on the undersides of the results in, especially on the veins; or on the younger divisions.  Stolonifera indicates “bearing stolons (running stems),” due to this shrub’s practice of growing by the adding of flat arises.  It is popularly known as Red-osier Dogwood; other typical titles include: Red-stemmed, Increased, Silky, United states, Florida, Stream, European, or Toxins Dogwood, Squawbush, Shoemack, Waxberry Cornel, Red-osier Cornel, Red-stemmed Cornel, Red Willow, Red Sweep, Red Rood, Harts Rouges, Rain gutter Shrub and Dogberry Shrub.  “Osier” is a name for willows whose divisions are used to create holders or wickerwork furniture. Interesting facts: The arises and winter time pals provide useful winter time look for food for deer (Cervidae spp.), moose (Alces alces), elk (Cervus elaphus), and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus); these varieties eat the look for food in such high amount that it often shades their pee a red dash.  Red-osier dogwood often experiences from overbrowsing during the cold months months season range.  Grizzly holds (Ursus arctos), black holds (Ursus americanus), ruffed complaint (Bonasa umbellus) and many other types of parrots eat the fruits.  The fruits are somewhat tasty - some individuals believe the brighter fruits are less nasty than the bluer fruits - but both can cause throwing up and light warning signs of poisoning when absorbed in big amounts.  Some communities value the fruits and combined them with more gratifying fruits (such as serviceberries (Amelanchier alnifolia) or chokecherries (Prunus virginiana)), and sometimes glucose, to create a plate known as “sweet and nasty.”  Some communities also ate the plant seeds divided from the skin as a snack food. Many communities combined the crawled and dry green, inner debris of red-osier dogwood with cigarettes to create cigarette smoking mixes.  It can be a little bit narcotic, or sleep-inducing.  The inner debris has a light, aspirin-like effect and may be boiled for use as a pain-relieving poultice to deal with blisters and inflammation, or absorbed as a tea to deal with fevers and liver organ conditions.  An infusion of the a little bit astringent origins was used to relieve diarrhoea and as a face clean or vapor for greasy skin. The genus name Cornus indicates "horn" in Latina and relates to the solidity of the timber.  Bows, pointer golf iron shafts, searching stays, tube arises, drumsticks, and tipi levels and hooks were designed out of the directly control timber.  The powerful, Y-shaped crotches of divisions are useful as slingshots, food preparation shelves, and pot wardrobe hangers.  The most popular name red-osier is produced from a France term used to explain long launches (such as willow) that are used for container creating and wickerwork.  Young arises are useful for container weaving and less versatile, older arises are valued for container tires.  The arises were also used as skewers and supports for shelves to dry fruits and fish, and imparted a nice taste to the food.  The vibrant external debris was also used decoratively.  The Blackfoot individuals made betting tires out of beaver tooth that were divided in half, linked into a group, and enclosed in dogwood debris.

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

do u have any tips on identifying plants? i have my own share of knowledge but i am deeply terrified of mistaking a plant for another and getting in some serious danger.

You want to look at as many parts of the plant as you can in order to avoid lookalikes. This requires a good memory and an eye for detail. It may help to bring a guide along, or to search in places where you have access to the internet from your phone so you can look it up.

Leaves:

*size

*number of leaves in a cluster (single, double, or more--poison ivy has three, for example)

*shape (round, arrow, spade, heart, needle-like, etc.)

*texture (glossy or matte, smooth or rough, velvety, hairy, needles, etc.)

*edge (are they toothed/serrated?)

*colour (bright green, silvery, red even in summer, etc.)

*vein pattern (close together or far apart, opposite or alternate) and how they’re arranged on the stem/branch (opposite, alternate or whorled)

*where (on the stalk or close to the ground? both?)

*age (is it a young leaf, a mature leaf, or an old dried one?)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

Flowers:

*size

*number of petals

*shape of the petals (round, thin, toothed edges, etc.)

*texture (glossy or matte, smooth or rough, velvety, hairy, etc.)

*colour (some species only have one colour, some more than one, some many)

*inflorescence (how many flowers on a single stalk?)

*the presence or not of a large stamen or pistils

*presence or not of sepals (green petal-like bits that grow around the flower and may remain as the fruit develops)

*smell (sweet, acrid, spicy, etc.)

*age (are these buds, mature flowers, or seedheads?)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

Stalk/Trunk:

*size (short or tall, thin or thick)

*number (single stalk or many on the same plant)

*style (branched with leaves or unbranched growing from leaves lower on the ground)

*texture (glossy or matte, smooth or rough, velvety, hairy, needles, woody, etc.)

*colour (green, brown, yellow, red, purple, etc.)

*breakability (brittle or bendy?)

*habit (does the plant spread as a creeper, climb as a vine, grow up tall, or grow outward?)

*age (is it a young shoot, mature, or past its prime?)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

Sap/Juice (when the plant is cut or crushed):

*thickness (watery or viscous?)

*how adhesive (sticky like latex or easily rubbed away)

*smell (sweet, acrid, spicy, etc.)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

Fruit:

*size

*number of fruits in a single cluster (single, double, or more?)

*shape (round, pear, long, etc.)

*texture (glossy or matte, smooth or rough, velvety, hairy, needles, etc.)

*colour from unripe to ripe (serviceberries go from green to pink to red to deep purple, for example)

*is each fruit single or a multifruit/multiple-fruit? (raspberries are multifruits)

*presence or not of sepals (green petal-like bits that grow around the flower and may remain as the fruit develops)

*smell (sweet, acrid, spicy, etc.)

*flesh (is it hollow like a bell pepper, segmented like an orange, hard like a nut, dry like a prune, mucousy like raw egg, or juicy, etc.?)

*tenderness (soft, firm, or hard?)

*where (on the main stalk, on the branches only, or in the ground?)

*when (later spring, throughout the summer, or in the fall--these last will likely remain on the plant well into the winter)

*age (is unripe, ripe, or overripe?)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

Seeds:

*size

*number (one pit, grouped in a capsule, or many seeds throughout?)

*shape (round, half moon, heart, etc.)

*texture (glossy or matte, smooth or rough, velvety, hairy, needles, etc.)

*colour

*tenderness/hardness (can you penetrate it with your finger nail? how easily?)

*where (outside like on strawberry, inside like most other fruits, or appears to have no fruit at all?)

*does it have accessories? (like wing casings or hairy tufts)

*when (what season?)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

Roots:

*size

*number (one or many?)

*shape (tap root, round tuber, root ball, branched, etc.)

*texture (smooth, rough, etc.)

*colour (whitish, brownish, orange, etc.)

*tenderness/hardness (can you penetrate it with your finger nail? how easily?)

*breakability (brittle or bendy?)

*flesh (fibrous, juicy, etc.)

*when (are you finding this in the spring, summer, or fall?)

*taste (proceed with extreme caution)

If in doubt, you can always test by rubbing just a bit on your skin (I recommend only doing this if you’re already somewhat sure of what the plant is since giant hogweed, for example, makes your skin very photosensitive). Wait at least twenty minutes. If you get a reaction, don’t bother. If you don’t, take the plant part home and boil it in three changes of water (first boiling should be about twenty minutes, the rest can be shorter, like five minutes), and then you can try chewing a small bit for a full minute in your mouth. If no reaction wait at least twenty minutes after spitting it out. If still no reaction, try swallowing a small bit. Wait at least four hours. If no reaction try a bit more. If it gets to the point where you’ve eaten the same quantity you’d normally eat of a regular vegetable and haven’t gotten a reaction after eight hours, then you know it’s fine after boiling in three changes of water and you can work your way down to two changes, one change, no change of water, frying instead of boiling, and then trying it raw. You can try chewing raw plants that haven’t given you a reaction on your skin, but it does present more risk. If it’s extremely bitter, soapy, burns, or stings, spit it out immediately. If not, chew for a full minute. If you begin to experience burning or stinging, spit it out immediately. It might be wise to have Benadryl on hand. Most of these effects won’t last terribly long, though.

This does NOT go for mushrooms!!!

#plant identificaton #identifying edible plants #testing for edibility #plant parts #foraging #asks #my posts

[wendyimmiller]

Natives here, natives there, natives, natives everywhere…

Is there any garden center that doesn’t carry coneflower?

Now and again, someone asks me where they can buy native plants. Sometimes they go on to complain that native plants are hard to find in today’s nursery industry. My hackles rise, and I know at that moment that they have no real knowledge of plants, yet have simply heard this somewhere and felt it worth repeating. It’s just another example of industry bashing without investigating the facts. In fact, in a chat with plant guru and renowned nurseryman Bill Barnes just the other day, he said that he personally surveyed the industry and that three of every four plants in the landscape industry were native or derived from natives.

Many selections of the native smooth hydrangea are available.

    I know I can walk into any local garden center and find a large number of natives. Are these peevish people unaware that the ubiquitous blackeyed Susans and coneflowers are native? That’s just for starters. You may choose to speed read the next two paragraphs to match how quickly my fingers typed the many native plants that are commonly found in our region’s  local garden centers. Please don’t be vexed that I am choosing not to use binomial nomenclature for the sake of brevity.

Southern magnolia is a staple offering in southern states.

Specifics are important, as there are often native and non-native species of the plants that I have chosen to list by the most broadly accepted common names in this region. I am also not going to get into the controversy over cultivars of natives at this time, but will on a later date. I’m certain I can find both smooth and oakleaf hydrangea, ninebark, sweetshrub, inkberry, fothergilla, clethra, sweetspire, beautyberry, blueberry, serviceberry, winterberry and deciduous holly, yaupon holly, rhododendron, native azalea, bayberry, redbud, dogwoods, southern and sweetbay magnolia, bald cypress, red and sugar maple, tulip poplar, several species of native oak, river birch, Carolina jessamine, coral honeysuckle, beebalm, several phlox, butterfly weed, blanketflower, Joe-pye weed, yucca, panicums, coreopsis, perennial hibiscus, yarrow and mealy cup sage. Pant, pant… Somewhat less common, but often found in the better garden centers include buttonbush, sumac, bottlebrush and red buckeye, witch-hazel, pawpaw, hornbeam, anisetree, poplarleaf leucothoe, chokeberry, baptisia, spigelia, obedient plant, asters, tiarella, muhly grass, crested iris, autumn sage, amsonia, snakeroot , columbine, liatris, cardinal flower, bigleaf magnolia, blackgum, asters and…you get it, so I’ll stop.

This was a long route to point out that the folks that say native plants are hard to find, wouldn’t know a native if they were standing on it. I shouldn’t be surprised in this era, when It’s no longer important to inform yourself on topics before passing judgement. Silly me, to think folks might research a topic before forming an opinion. but then, look all around us at today’s America, where sorting truth from spin has fallen from fashion.

Wrenching the wheel back from that political veer, here is my complaint about native plants. Some of the easiest to grow and most useful native plants have not made their way into mainstream markets. I’m faced with my own ineptitude when I look at a couple of decades of trying to convince growers to grow these, retailers to carry them, and consumers to ask for them. It’s a chicken or the egg sort of dilemma.

Lemony blooms of spicebush light up this wild slough in late winter.

Stunning, lush, loved by wildlife, so why let a few thorns stop you?What’s not to want about a late winter blooming shrub/small tree that will grow in sun or shade, isn’t picky about soil, has golden fall color, can provide red berries for wildlife or for your own culinary use, and produces wonderfully fragrant foliage that provides food the caterpillars of beautiful butterflies? Who wouldn’t want that? Yet spicebush is largely absent in the trade. When I’ve been able to find it, the plants are seed grown, and there is no way to know the gender on the young specimens. I’d like to have several females and a male for pollinating, maybe one more male as a backup stud. Instead, the seller tells me to buy several, and hope there will be at least one of each gender in the lot. I don’t like this suggestion, but I summon a smiling response, since I’m told by those that have tried that our native spicebush is not easy to root from cuttings. Tissue culture could be an option, but since there is so little demand, there has been little interest. Another pet native is devil’s walking stick, Aralia spinosa. This glorious plant is billowing into clouds of creamy blooms alongside most country roads in late summer in west Tennessee, but the foliage alone is exquisite. Each enormous leaf flutters with intricate bi- to tri-pinnately compound leaves that can span up to five feet in width, the largest of any temperate tree on the continent. Many pollinators are attracted to the beach ball sized panicles of small ivory flowers, but these blooms seem to be especially prized by the larger swallowtails. The dark purple berries are relished by birds, and by that time the stems of the infructescence has turned a brilliant deep pink that will remain on the plant for weeks.

Sure, its suckering nature is a drawback to some, so if you don’t have the space to let it colonize, remove those as they appear. I’ve seen individual stems get to 30 feet, and add strong vertical drama to the vignette. Other drawbacks? I’ve seen the “are you crazy?” look on people’s faces when they realize I mean the plant with the rings of wicked thorns on the trunks. These are people who have just shown me pictures of their yards, crowded with landscape roses or barberries. Hypocrites.

A few die-hard native plant nurseries carry it. Trees by Touliatos was the only mainstream nursery I knew that did, and that fabulous destination garden center is now erased from the planet.

Plato, I miss you every day, but you are always riding along with me every time I pass a stunning colony of devil’s walking stick on a country road. You were always ahead of the curve…

Natives here, natives there, natives, natives everywhere… originally appeared on Garden Rant on July 26, 2018.

from Gardening http://www.gardenrant.com/2018/07/natives-here-natives-there-natives-natives-everywhere.html via http://www.rssmix.com/