The severe drought is having an impact on our part of the state; trees that normally blaze up in Fall colors are simply going brown. (Others are blazing up in fact, as wildfires proliferate.) However, people with lawn sprinklers are faring a bit better.
There are some bright spots in our own yard, in fact. This volunteer is one I have protected from harm and nurtured along for several seasons as it has grown. While I haven't watered too much in the yard (it's sink or swim, I'm afraid) we did make sure that The Brave Little Dogwood got weekly attention.
Here you can see its color developing from one week to the next.
There is a second volunteer dogwood behind the live oak that shades this area.
Poison ivy also turns an attractive bronze-red, but I patrol the yard and eliminate that when it inevitably appears. (Birds love its berries and 'import' the seeds.)
I have one other favorite here in the yard--also a volunteer.
Do you know this tree?
(DH continues to baffle me by not recognizing any common trees, let alone those that are less-often seen. I have patiently shown him the distinguishing features of dogwoods and redbuds--both distinctive even when winter-bare, but he contends that 'they all look alike.'
Hint: its roots have been used for tea or as flavoring for root-beer.
Does this close-up help?
Notice that the leaves may have two or three lobes OR just the single 'standard leaf shape.' And isn't the color pretty?
If you guessed SASSAFRAS, you know your trees!
This sapling is now about 6 feet tall. I believe it will do well and ultimately shade the corner of the yard.
I hope that Fall is lovely where you are!
