Pecan flowers.
Wild dew berries or blackberries. They are related. We only just learned about dew berries and probably have both on the farm.
No telling what happened to the missing branches of this magnolia tree; but we think owls may nest in them. We hear hoot owls a few times a year when all is quiet at night.
This old oak tree was hit by lightning at one time. You can see half of it seems dead. Hubby keeps saying he wants to cut it down; but Pileated Woodpeckers like old growth trees. Woodpeckers of all kinds have looked for food on it. And when the pasture grass is tall, owls sit on the bare branches at night to hunt. Besides, half of it is still alive! So for now, it stays.
I want to comment on the last two pictures in this group. Never been able to identify it. It is a vine. It has never flowered. It has leaves, and some of the nastiest thorns! If you click on the pictures, you may be able to see them. We have tried to kill it. Hubby got scratched by it when mowing the other day. When we first got here in 2008, it was so long it was growing into the 'corner oak' and it took a bit for me to realize there was a vine 'biting' me and not a mosquito or some other Southern denizen. I keep telling hubby we should train it along the fence line and it would take a bit of trying for anything o get through.
Hubby's climbing oak.
The gate oak
Corner oak.
And today?
One tornado warning passed. A night of rain predicted.
You all have a blessed week!
I continue to be surprised by how things are green & growing, elsewhere. We're still buried under a thick blanket of white stuff, which is only now starting to melt.
ReplyDeleteThat's a magnificent spread that you and the Mr. live on. The oaks are majestic, almost regal. You're lucky to have the place, the variety of wild life and the variety of plants. I don't know what the thorn plant is, but there are books that will guide you in classifying them. Take a leaf, then use the guide to narrow it down. You will also need to know what the flower/seeds look like. Maybe start at the library - or it may be on-line now?
ReplyDeleteLove the old oak trees, they stand firm even when struck by lightning
ReplyDeleteWe have many beautiful old valley oaks here, they are cherished.
ReplyDeleteHave no idea what your vine is, I would take a cutting to the ag extension office and see it they know, or sic a local hort club on it.
I do know I would be getting those vines out of your trees, have seen some beautiful old trees killed by vines.
Have a good weekend on your lovely place!