I have several "favorite" trees. I love the bark of the sycamore, the presence of the American beech, the feel of trunk of the hornbeam, the stateliness of the longleaf pine. But the tree that makes me smile is the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). There is something about the shape of the leaf that makes me happy -- how weird is that? :) 
6 comments:
Well, it does look like it's about to hug you with those outstretched arms. Maybe it's that.
The TP's in Great Smoky Mtn National Park are so straight and huge. They were a favorite of mine when I spent some time there.
It’s the symmetry Swampy. But I think I shall never see…
The Sassafras tree is the one whose leaves make me happy. All that variation! So cool.
Ooooh...
I wish it grew in Europe!
But then again, I live in Paris which is not exactly teeming with wild forests, so maybe it does.
I would like to use this picture as a test to learn to use a delineating software. Do you mind if I do, and, in the event of a decent outcome, I post the results on my blog?
(came across it through Science and Politics btw)
Abie - feel free to use the picture. I'm glad you like it :)
Tulip poplars are great, despite their strange lateral meristems, and because of their wonderful flowers too! And they are the major honeyflow for honeybees in our area. All the beekeepers sit on pins and needles right about now hoping that there won't be a major frost.
If there isn't, one healthy hive can accumulate ten gallons of honey from them.
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