I am not a fan of our two Acer negundo 'Variegata' street trees. My biggest issue with them is the year-round rain of debris they produce, from samaras that just won't quit, to leaves that begin to fall in spring as soon as they are open, to brittle branches that scatter all over the front yard when they break. And sadly, they have been poorly pruned for years due to power lines that travel through their canopies.
Although I would never recommend the species to anyone, I have to admit that our trees do have their positives: they are large, so they create good shade for our house in summer, and they provide a place for wildlife to flourish. And once in a while, one of those brittle, dead branches falls and is a source of exquisite beauty.
The mosses and lichen on this branch create tiny gardens I can explore in detail.
How do they manage to arrange themselves so perfectly?
My thanks to Anna of Flutter and Hum for hosting Wednesday Vignette and reminding me to look a little more carefully at the world around me.
Although I would never recommend the species to anyone, I have to admit that our trees do have their positives: they are large, so they create good shade for our house in summer, and they provide a place for wildlife to flourish. And once in a while, one of those brittle, dead branches falls and is a source of exquisite beauty.
The mosses and lichen on this branch create tiny gardens I can explore in detail. 
How do they manage to arrange themselves so perfectly?
Oh goodness, Jane - what a fantastic variety of mosses and lichen! Those branches are beautiful... They would be perfect bases for a fern table if you were to be so inclined. Mind you - they don't exactly look like small twigs. Having the constant threat of them raining down on me would be a bit worrisome...
ReplyDeleteI'm liking everyone's ideas for a fern table!
DeleteThose are exquisite! And great photos. I am frustrated by most of the debris that rains down in the fall, but the lichenous branches that sometimes fall out of the Douglas firs are the only thing I consistently save. None of them are as beautiful or as heavily laden as yours.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are the best debris. The rest of it is just makes a mess.
DeleteJust gorgeous. That's some terrific camera work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia - just luck.
DeleteThat’s a beautiful starting point for a holiday mantle arrangement.... gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSadly, my MCM fireplace has no mantle...
Deletedo they attract box elder bugs?
ReplyDeleteNot as far as I can tell.
DeleteA lovely branch and perfect for a fern table or moss garden.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm encouraged to make a fern table but this time of year isn't ideal...
DeleteThe lichens and moss growing there really is quite the mini-garden in itself. Never heard of that particular box elder variety, but it sounds like not only its wood is weak!
ReplyDeleteMy oh my...lay that branch down the middle of your dining room table and you have a centerpiece to cause a stir.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is cool! Is there something about this species that is especially conducive to moss and lichens?
ReplyDeleteI think it's more likely there's something about Portland that is especially conducive to moss and lichens, Jason! We see them on many species of trees and shrubs here, especially this time of year when the rain returns.
Delete