Duck!

For the last week or so we have had about 6 Mallards swimming up and down the creek. While these ducks are not unusual ducks, we haven't had many in recent years. A number of years ago there was some kind of virus that killed off a large bit of the population. Our creek opens to the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Poquoson River. Everyone I spoke with who lives down creek was mentioning the same thing, no ducks. I am happy to see them back again.


Here is what we used to experience.

Tuesday's Trees- Pecan, Carya illinoinensis

When someone says Pecan, I think pie. I love Pecan pie, Derby Pie is pretty good too. (Think Pecan pie and add some chocolate and good Kentucky bourbon) The Pecan tree, Carya illinoinensis- another Hickory, is a North American native tree whose range originated in the lower Mississippi valley but has spread throughout the South. It is adaptable to zones 5b-9a. A bottomland tree, the Pecan grows in full sun and while there are some pests, they are not serious problems. Missouri Botanical Garden has some great photos and a super link to a list of the pests.

A mature tree grows to a height of up to 100+ feet with a spread up to 70 feet. Notice the grand shape to this mature tree in Hampton. I was lucky to find a great number of examples of pecan trees near my ballet studio. It was one of those occasions where I never knew they were there! It helped that they were in fruit when I started looking for them.

One week later-- its fall colors are starting to show.

The leaf is alternate, pinnately compound with anywhere from 9- 15 serrated leaflets. The fruit ripens in the fall –anytime from September to December. The tree is monoecious (one house) the male flowers are fuzzy catkins and the female flowers are small yellowish green. The nut is inside a thick hull that will crack open easily when ripe.

The light gray bark is smooth on a young tree becoming narrowly ridged. Fall color is that of other hickories, yellow.

Uses vary from food production for man, furniture, cabinets, veneers, to a great food source for wildlife. This is still a green nut.

Virginia Tech- brief summary

University of Florida- great detail, no photos

Vanderbilt- comparison tool with other Hickories

US Forestry Department- scientific detail, range map, no photo

Fall color --

From swamp chestnut oak swamp white oak Learning Garden

I have updated some of the fall colors on previous tree posts. Black Gum, Shagbark Hickory, Crape Myrtles, and Sourwood.

Just added the White Oak as well.

Next week – Swamp Chestnut Oak/ Swamp White Oak/

What Color is on Your Deck?

As I look out the door to the deck I watch the raindrops on the creek. In between the door and the creek is the deck with those plants that will stay outside all winter (or until they are done producing).

The basil is still growing (and blooming), I will bring it in soon and dry some of the leaves.

In the same pot as the basil is Tri-colored Sage- this will be clipped throughout the winter for culinary delights.














Next to the herb bowl are a couple window boxes with lettuce --The 'Red Sails' is really coming along.

















The Sedum is showing a change of color that matches the clay container it is in..




After I took the containers apart earlier this fall I put the Hedera helix 'Pink-n-Very Curly' in its own container and put it in a bit more sun. What a change! The leaves are really showing some of that pink color.

Still hungry? The cherry tomatoes are still growing and putting forth fruit.

















Last but not least-- a miniature rose.   I used to think I needed to bring this in for the winter, though I don't know why!!  It has lived outside since 2003 and been very happy.