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Saturday Gardening Thread: November Boogie [Y-not and KT]

Y-not: Good afternoon, morons! Welcome to your Saturday Gardening Thread brought to you by the Haw Berry wren:

You can learn more about the Eurasian Wren here. I don't know about you, but I'm ROTFLMAO that its scientific name is Troglodytes troglodytes. Troglodyte for a wren? Really? Someone had a sense of humor.

Name That Tree

Last week we had a tree identification challenge. There was some diversity of opinion about the tree in question, so I did a little follow up this week. It was also a good excuse to check out some of the online resources for tree identification that are out there.

I found that Google Image searches were not successful. I even tried it on a nicely preserved broadleaf tree leaf without luck. (The results keyed in on the coloration of the leaf rather than its shape.)

I then checked a few websites designed for the task. For example, Arbor Day has the WhatTree app. I liked that its first step involved identifying where the tree in question is found, but the subsequent questions used to ID trees were not uniformly helpful.

I found a better resource at the Ohio Public Library Information Network (or OPLIN). What Tree Is It? allows you to describe the tree by its leaf or its fruit. However, it wasn't clear how to answer the questions when it came to last week's tree (and its fruit, in particular).

The site seems to be down at the moment, but I thought Leafsnap.com looked helpful, as does this Leaf Key tree identification site.

Auburn University's Horticulture program maintains a Leaf ID site. I found it a little difficult to use myself. A little too much jargon, for one thing.

Those of you in warm climates might enjoy this palm tree identifier.

And those of you who want to ID a specific type of maple might like this site.

In any event, after doing some more searching, I think last week's tree is a bald cypress, as many of you thought. Commenter "kaf" was the first to guess bald cypress. Congratulations!

This week I thought I'd toss out another challenge:

TreeForID.jpg

Name that tree! (Answer next week.)

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

November is upon us and that means soon most of us will be gathering with family and loved ones (not necessarily an overlapping group!) to express our gratitude for the bounty bestowed upon us by gorging ourselves and watching football. *burp* At Casa Y-not Thanksgiving is a decidedly low-key affair. Although I will pull out the "good china" and silver for the event, I don't generally do much more than that in terms of table decor. But the folks at Garden and Gun had a nice article about center pieces. That seemed gardening-related enough for me, so I thought I'd share it.

Fall-Arrangement-One.jpg

If any of you are particularly proud of the Thanksgiving centerpieces you make each year (or any table centerpieces you make yourself, especially those using things you've grown or collected yourself), I'd love to see them. Might be a fun "show and tell" thread. Send your pictures to me at bailesworth AT g mail DOT com.


Now, here's KT:

The Nannyberry Tree

Now that Halloween is over, I thought it would be nice to touch on a topic related to Thanksgiving. I started wondering what the Pilgrims might have eaten from the wild during those hard times before the First Thanksgiving. Of course there were blueberries, but we discussed those last year.

Would there be a fruit they could forage later in the season? We have discussed cranberries and high bush cranberries, too. But they require considerable sweetening to really taste good. It turns out that there is a native relative of the highbush cranberry that is sweet right off the bush or tree. It is the Nannyberry, Viburnum lent ago.

These berries seem to be pretty good for you. And Native Americans used the bark and leaves medicinally. But I found no evidence that nannyberries got their nickname because they were promoted by people who think like Bernie Sanders. So get the image below right out of your mind:

nanny-berries1.jpg

Everyone deserves free nannyberries

"Nannyberry" actually refers to nanny goats. Sometimes the plant is called "Sheepberry". The flowers, bruised twigs and sometimes the over-ripe fruit are said to smell like wet wool, according to the University of Minnesota Extension. "It is a durable and easy-to-grow plant throughout Minnesota because of its hardiness, its ability to grow in light or shade, and its adaptability across a wide range of soil textures, moisture levels, and soil pH."

v-lentago-flower-cluster.jpg

Spring flower clusters

Viburnum lentago naturally grows as a massive shrub. One of its valuable attributes is the ability to grow in wet soil, as at the edge of a swamp. It is often seen growing along roads near where water puddles after storms. It is also fairly drought-tolerant and tolerates compacted soils. It can be trained as an attractive single-trunked tree of up to 30 feet, or as a somewhat shorter multiple-trunked tree. One owner of a tree-form nannyberry said (on the Far North Forum at Gardenweb) "Everyone who sees it in the fall wants one." It looks like a nice lawn tree for cold-winter climates.

Spring bloom is profuse. The berries which follow turn from rose or red to blue-black in fall. Fruit not harvested can persist on the tree into winter, until eaten by birds.

colorful-fruit-stalks-and-foliage-of-nannyberry-in-autumn.jpg

Berries with fall foliage

The University of Connecticut states that the fruit is most appealing during the transition from rose (or red) to blue-black. They list two cutting-grown cultivars, the tall-growing "Deep Green" and "Pink Beauty", which has pink berries that eventually turn purple. These cultivars are hard to find.

Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide notes that nannyberries have excellent flavor as a trail snack, though the seeds are a nuisance. Like the highbush cranberry, nannyberries contain a single large seed. This book also includes an apparently famous recipe for a molded nannyberry pudding flavored with lemon zest, lemon juice and a touch of cinnamon. It is thickened with cornstarch rather than gelatin. Old-fashioned.

The authors also recommend this recipe for three other species of edible viburnum berries: Blackhaw (V. prunifolium), northern wild raisin (V. cassinoides) or hobblebush (V. alnifolium). There are reportedly no poisonous look-alikes for any of these species.

A simple nanny berry sauce, as featured on Punk Domestics, is more my speed. There are photos and preparation tips. This year, the same cook developed a quick single-layer nannyberry cake recipe. Let us know if you try it.

I have gotten the impression that some people who have posted recipes for Nannyberries were actually using Blackhaw Viburnum berries. Blackhaw is adaptable to hot or humid summers because of its resistance to mildew. It is not as hardy as Nannyberry, but apparently the plant never smells like wet wool. It is smaller-growing and some people think it is less graceful in form than the Nannyberry. The Eat the Weeds guy has a nice rundown on other edible native viburnums.

Viburnum x jackii, other species and modern hybrids

An accidental hybrid between the Nannyberry and Blackhaw was discovered in 1908 at the Arnold Arboretum (Harvard) by Professor J.G. Jack. It has characteristics of both parents, growing to a height of 10 feet. It appears to be unaffected by mildew in northern Ohio (unlike a nannyberry growing nearby), with less suckering. It is rated as hardy only to USDA Zone 4, while the Nannyberry is hardy to Zone 2 or 3, depending on the source of your information.
In 1925, V. x jackii was not considered to be more valuable (at the Arnold Arboretum) than either of its parents, which could be grown from seed. The arboretum staff seemed to love the Nannyberry (sheepberry), attributing much of the beauty of the arboretum during May and early June to its flowers. It had been "planted in large numbers along the drives and in the border plantations" of the arboretum. Viburnum x jackii may have been reassessed since 1925, at least for North Carolina. There is a profile of its features and garden culture here. Specialists think that this hybrid would be easy to train as a small tree because it has a central leader when young. A photo of one trained as a tree remains elusive.

F443-08.jpg

Michael Dirr, a specialist in hydrangeas, magnolias and viburnums, has produced a very informative site comparing what he considers to be the best species and cultivars of viburnum for gardens. Breeding and selection of new viburnum cultivars, including inter-species hybrids, has continued since V. Jackii was discovered. It may take 20 years from breeding to introduction of a new viburnum cultivar. With the introduction of new, superior cultivars, Sunset has dropped some species from its Plant Encyclopedia for Western Gardeners.

Mr. Dirr rates Viburnum lentago (the Nannyberry) as one of the "best of the best" viburnums in the category of small trees or large shrubs. Smaller-growing viburnums beat out the nannyberry in the categories of fragrant flowers (wet wool fragrance does not seem to impress him), showy flowers, showy fruit and distinctively-colored summer foliage.

If you are looking for a shrub or small tree for your yard, here is a Viburnum photo gallery by cultivar or species. Click on a photo to see more photos of the same cultivar. The gallery includes both very hardy deciduous cultivars and tender evergreens such as V. awabuki, V. suspensum and V. tinus.

There is a lot of diversity in this genus. Some of these plants are really beautiful.

Spring Azure Butterfly

Nannyberry, like many other viburnums, plays host to the caterpillars of the lovely little Spring Azure butterfly, Celastrina laden. Dogwood, ceanothus, wild buckwheat and blueberry are also hosts, along with some other shrubs and trees. The caterpillars feed mainly on buds, flowers and young fruits.

SpringAzurecater.jpg

Spring Azure Caterpillar

You may never see a Spring Azure caterpillar even it is feeding in your yard. These caterpillars often hide inside buds or other plant parts while feeding. And their color may change to effectively camouflage them, depending on the plant they are eating. Three color variations are seen here. Some species of ants may protect these caterpillars from predators and parasitoids in exchange for honeydew produced by special glands on the backs of the caterpillars. Better than having ants protect aphids for honeydew, in my opinion.

The adult butterflies exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females often darker in color than males, with more black markings.

P1030618.JPG

Female Azure Butterfly

There is also variability in the appearance of these butterflies from region to region. Spring Azures are often considered to be a complex of several subspecies. "All it takes for a spirited argument are 2 taxonomists and 1 azure."

Some form of Spring Azure flies in most regions of the country other than the warmest parts of some Gulf States, where gaudy tropical butterflies make up for their absence. Spring Azures are often the first butterflies which do not over-winter as adults to appear in the spring. There are two flights a year in most of its range. No matter which variation you see, these little blue butterflies are charming.

blue_butterfly_503.jpg

Male Azure Butterfly

A Hops Azure has recently been discovered in Colorado. A beer was named after it, with part of the proceeds from its sale going to further study of the butterfly. Beer to promote butterfly research! What a good excuse to drink during the day.

While relaxing with your butterfly-loving drinking buddies, you might like to propose the challenge below. There is a secret to getting an Azure or other Blue butterfly to sit on your finger or your nose. Do you know what it is?

74633846_f75ef35eb0.jpg

Can you do this?


Y-not: Thanks, KT!

To wrap things up, how about some November Boogie?

What's happening in YOUR gardens this week?

(Link to the Saturday Gardening Thread archives.)

Posted by: Open Blogger at 02:30 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 ....and, then, we have the troglodyte loaf of bread -- Pan troglodytes.

Posted by: cthulhu at November 07, 2015 02:37 PM (EzgxV)

2 I want that centerpiece. Want it badly. I don't care if everyone else gets the rest of this thread - that centerpiece is mine.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 02:38 PM (dFi94)

3 I jave to figure out what's in it. Looks like some kind of David Austen roses, and - dahlias?

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 02:39 PM (dFi94)

4 What are those roundish brownish things?

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 02:41 PM (dFi94)

5 Name that tree!

Throttled Worf Macarena

Posted by: weft cut-loop at November 07, 2015 02:44 PM (rSTkb)

6 Dats a Poplar tree. I haz two in my front yard. It has awesome huge flowers.

Posted by: QT3.1415 at November 07, 2015 02:46 PM (8YAGe)

7 I'm thinking they might be pears? No I don't think they're pears. This is going to drive me nuts.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 02:47 PM (dFi94)

8 " Name that tree! "



No sirree. I played that gamed one time on the Garden Thread. Not again.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 02:47 PM (b7NqL)

9 Poplar, great for spring bees.

Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 02:51 PM (MpCWm)

10 Grammie - apples or pears?

Posted by: Burrito Bandito at November 07, 2015 02:51 PM (EclzG)

11 My fall blooming camellias are still blooming, but after that there will be nothing going in my yard until early Spring. What I have today is rain.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 07, 2015 02:52 PM (t2KH5)

12 Tulip Poplar is the tree.

The Nannyberries around my place are a great attraction to bluebirds in the early winter here in Virginia. Large flocks of them will strip the berries off them and it is a nice sight on a drab winter day.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at November 07, 2015 02:53 PM (l3vZN)

13 They're too brown to be apples so I was thinking pears but they're awfully round-bottomed to be pears so now I am on a hunt for what they could be.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 02:54 PM (dFi94)

14 "They're too brown to be apples so I was thinking pears but they're awfully round-bottomed to be pears so now I am on a hunt for what they could be. "


How big are they?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 02:59 PM (b7NqL)

15 >>>Dats a Poplar tree. I haz two in my front yard.

Yes. They're very poplar this time of year.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 03:00 PM (E5UB0)

16 How big are they?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 02:59 PM (b7NqL)
=================================

From the picture they look to be about the size of the roses in bloom. Dang it I would really like to be able to replicate that centerpiece.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 03:01 PM (dFi94)

17 I guess I could always just stick another couple of roses in there and call it a day.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 03:02 PM (dFi94)

18 Obviously, that is a French Fagoh Tree. Seems to be everywhere these days.

Posted by: Ambiguously Gay Richard Simmons at November 07, 2015 03:02 PM (f4GQ8)

19 Tulip Poplar is the tree.

Yup. There are a couple of acres of them in my backyard. They are huge things, straight as telephone poles. I'd guess the biggest ones are 70-80 years old and 80-90' high, possibly 100'. They have a fairly sparse top canopy, and beeches and oaks are starting to come in as an understory. I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually replace the poplars.

If you can't tell, I really like my backyard.

Posted by: pep at November 07, 2015 03:03 PM (LAe3v)

20 If you are ever near SW NC, do yourself a favor and go to the Joyce Kilmer memorial forest. Old growth. Poplar trees that are just impossibly big.

The only thing is, the forest is near nothing, duh, otherwise it wouldn't be there.

Do an image search. That's holy ground to me.

Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 03:03 PM (MpCWm)

21 Trying to figure out what fruit you may be seeing. Apples, pears, dates, jubus just had their ripening. Sept/Oct.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 03:06 PM (b7NqL)

22 Grammie, google "longan".

Maybe.

I'm thinking a Halo with gold spray paint might work...

Posted by: Mama AJ at November 07, 2015 03:06 PM (nXeSu)

23 Apples, pears, dates, jubus just had their ripening. Sept/Oct.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 03:06 PM (b7NqL)
================================

What's a jubus?

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 03:07 PM (dFi94)

24 Asian pear?

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 03:08 PM (qahv/)

25 IT'S CALLED A TULIP POPLAR BECAUSE THE LEAF LOOKS LIKE A 2D PROJECTION OF A TULIP FLOWER.

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at November 07, 2015 03:09 PM (E5UB0)

26 http://americalastchance.blogspot.com/

check it out.

Posted by: meh at November 07, 2015 03:09 PM (LqrRo)

27
Grammie, google "longan".



Maybe.




Posted by: Mama AJ at November 07, 2015 03:06 PM (nXeSu)
==============================
That DOES look like it! I think you're right. I've never seen one in person but the pictures sure do look similar.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 03:09 PM (dFi94)

28 "What's a jubus?"


It's like a date. Grows on a tree that gets big and grows in clumps. Sweeter than an apple or pear.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 03:09 PM (b7NqL)

29 Traye
Re: coyotes, my guy says when you hear the coyote barking not howling, it may be one coyote. He tells me they will bite their own tail. Also they carry their prey over their shoulder. He told me he saw a young one last week in the canyon. Maybe 8 months old. This guy is the animal whisperer. He had a wild cottontail in his arms petting it 2 days ago.

Posted by: CaliGirl at November 07, 2015 03:10 PM (BHl9S)

30 "Asian pear?"


Thai lady at work called it a Chinese apple.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 03:10 PM (b7NqL)

31 The Nannybarry Tree became the national tree in 2008.

Posted by: The USSA at November 07, 2015 03:11 PM (REdlt)

32 Asian pear?


Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 03:08 PM (qahv/)
==========================

Yep - that could be it too. I did an image search and it looks like what's in the top pic of the centerpiece.

Posted by: grammie winger, the sky spills over at November 07, 2015 03:11 PM (dFi94)

33 Everything changed with the little bit of rain we got last week. Had to put blankets on the beds. Weeds just getting started in all the empty lots. Looks nice. Compared to the previous brown-out.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 03:12 PM (qahv/)

34 What's a jubus?

I don't know, but I'm sure it's long, hard, and full of shtreimel.

Posted by: Ambiguously Gay Richard Simmons at November 07, 2015 03:13 PM (f4GQ8)

35 Crap, I failed another Garden Thread.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at November 07, 2015 03:15 PM (b7NqL)

36 I would love to be able to make centerpieces like that. It's beautiful. Mine always look so sad.

Posted by: CaliGirl at November 07, 2015 03:15 PM (BHl9S)

37 Garden?

That's the swampy stuff outside the window, right?

We had 40 inches of rain Jan-July, then almost none for two months. Everything dried out completely. And now we're above 50 inches and I'm thinking about growing lily pads.

Posted by: Mama AJ at November 07, 2015 03:17 PM (nXeSu)

38 semi OT. Did Ben Roethlisberger once explain something that was so obvious he didn't need to explain it? I notice that sometimes people here under that nic and that seems to be the point of the joke.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 03:21 PM (E5UB0)

39 Cali, there was just an article on the economist about the eastern "coywolf" coyote, says genetically 10 percent dog, 25 percent wolf and rest coyote genes. They are a very different animal than what is out west. German Shepard sized, but look like coyotes. They look, act, hunt, and sound like a different critter altogether.


The first time you see one you can't believe what your eyes are seeing. Smarter, faster, more adaptable and stronger than the western version.

I think the ones last night were there because one of their kin got shot and they were cleaning it up.

They live back in the swamp (big swamp) behind our house, I went out there with Patrick Henry last night to see if I could find them just so I could get some sleep. No luck, but I did see a yellow eye shine but it disappeared before I could id for a shot. Ended up with about 2 hours sleep. I was ready to throttle everything noisy this morning.

Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 03:23 PM (MpCWm)

40 http://americalastchance.blogspot.com/

check it out.
Posted by: meh
-------------------------------------------------
I remember Thunderf00t from the elevator gate incident. He used to be a boilerplate libprog militant atheist. I guess him getting vilified during that incident was enough to change his mind about feminism.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 03:25 PM (E5UB0)

41 Thats a tulip tree, otherwise know as the lightning rod around these parts.

Posted by: stephana at November 07, 2015 03:25 PM (ffv4o)

42 Tulip Tree, Yellow Poplar, tulipifera liriodendron, it's all the same tree.

Posted by: Roger DePoy at November 07, 2015 03:27 PM (uJ462)

43 I remember "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot". Kinda sad Lightfoot died but Thunderbolt got all the money.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 07, 2015 03:27 PM (ej1L0)

44 Mama AJ, where do you live that you get so much rain?

Posted by: Ronster at November 07, 2015 03:32 PM (mUa7N)

45 If you're in your garden and want to ID a bird you see, Cornell Ornithology Lab has a great app called Merlin. It's free and amazingly helpful. Even has audios of various calls they make which really helps ID too.

Posted by: keena at November 07, 2015 03:33 PM (RiTnx)

46 Jujubes are sometimes called Chinese apples or Chinese dates. Some can be dried. Not the cultivar I have. The leaves are falling now. We don't get a particularly interestng fall color change in our climate.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 03:34 PM (qahv/)

47 The Haw Berry Wren is charming. Haw berries grow on hawthorn and mayapple trees. They are related to apples and pears.

The Black Haw that is related to the Nannyberry is totally different. Also called "cramp bark".

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 03:37 PM (qahv/)

48 tulip poplar tree

Posted by: Carsie at November 07, 2015 03:38 PM (XkohI)

49 I just use the Nat'l Wildlife Federation's Field Guide to North American Trees. It's kind of bulky to take on hikes, but I know most of my trees, at least in my area, so if I find one I want to look up, I grab a leaf, note other characteristics (bark type, etc.) and look them up when I get home.

I was recently bewildered by this one tree I would always pass while hiking. It clearly belonged to the maple family, with its familiar samaras ("helicopters") but had compound leaves that were nothing like maple leaves.

Turned out to be the very common Box Elder, the only member of the maple family with compound leaves. Of course, Box Elders are widespread and very common...but they don't grow here in western NY. At least according to all the books. And yet, there it stands.

It threw me only because I'm only well-versed in local trees and those aren't supposed to grow here.

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 03:44 PM (HMt16)

50 not to be confused with the african tulip tree.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at November 07, 2015 03:48 PM (T78UI)

51 >>Mama AJ, where do you live that you get so much rain?

I'm in NW Louisiana.

It's not always this wet, but it's just been all or nothing this year.

Posted by: Mama AJ at November 07, 2015 03:50 PM (nXeSu)

52 I like Sycamores because they wear camo. Cool bark.

But my very favorite trees are mulberry trees, because they provide dee-licious snacks on the go while hiking, straight off the trees. If only they weren't so highly perishable, they'd be in every produce section. Mulberry trees aren't super-common in my area, so it's always a delight to come across one on a hike.

There are two big Red Mulberry trees where I often hike along the Niagara Gorge. I always stop and pig out.

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 03:53 PM (HMt16)

53 We had a wet summer here in KS. Weird thing is I've noticed dandelions growing at three separate times. Last time just a couple of days ago.

Never seen that before, but maybe just something I've missed in the past.

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 03:53 PM (DrCtv)

54 Traye,
Those sound much scarier. Ours look like small mangy dogs.

Posted by: CaliGirl at November 07, 2015 03:56 PM (BHl9S)

55 It's leaf collecting time and I hate it. But a couple of weeks ago cleaned off all peppers but didn't pull out the plants and with the warm weather found a few small ones growing. So picked them and pulled them out

Posted by: Skip at November 07, 2015 03:56 PM (JWMFs)

56 HH, I too just noticed some dandelions yesterday. Very strange. I don't think I've ever seen them this late in the year. And I'm way up north.

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 03:57 PM (HMt16)

57 Wife dug up the last of the garden this week. Carrots and Turnips. Fresh carrots are one of my favorites.

Posted by: Ronster at November 07, 2015 03:59 PM (mUa7N)

58 Mulberry trees aren't super-common in my area, so it's always a delight to come across one on a hike.



There are two big Red Mulberry trees where I often hike along the Niagara Gorge. I always stop and pig out.



Posted by: WhatWhatWhat?

Here in No. Ill. they like the soil and will grow anywhere. The birds love them and every year you find trees starting in the garden.

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:00 PM (8ikIW)

59 Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 03:57 PM (HMt16)


And the ones I've seen are much smaller than the ones you see in the spring. Kind of strange.

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 04:00 PM (DrCtv)

60 Fresh carrots are one of my favorites.

Posted by: Ronster

People that have only eaten the "baby" carrots do not know what they are missing.
Plus beef stew with carrots and taters.

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:01 PM (8ikIW)

61 My mom's condo association just took down a huge Sweet Birch tree that the tenants were complaining about for some reason or another.

I happened to be visiting after the tree was taken down but before it was carted away, so I snagged a big zip-lock bag full of twigs to use for making tea. Yellow Birch can be used too. It's very good tea. Like hot Birch Beer.

Spruce needle tea is quite good too. You'd think it would be nasty tasting but it's not. "Bracing" would be my word for it. Great on a cold morning. Use the bluish-green new growth, any time of year, steep in hot (not boiling) water for15 minutes and add sugar or honey to taste.

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 04:03 PM (HMt16)

62 58
Mulberry trees aren't super-common in my area, so it's always a delight to come across one on a hike.





There are two big Red Mulberry trees where I often hike along the Niagara Gorge. I always stop and pig out.






Posted by: WhatWhatWhat?

Here in No. Ill. they like the soil
and will grow anywhere. The birds love them and every year you find
trees starting in the garden.


Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:00 PM (8ikIW)

Where I grew up in GA we had a mulberry tree near the back corner of out lot. We loved it because it was a great climbing tree and it make nice fruit to eat. But what was funny was the birds would eat the overripe berries that had fallen to the ground and get drunk so that they could not fly from the fermented berries.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 07, 2015 04:04 PM (t2KH5)

63 Yay wreckovery: these 8 foods getting more expensive:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/okp57cs


Food #6 is "vegetables". Why not just say: this 1 food is getting more expensive: edible.

I guess good news for those who grow their own vegetables: you might be able to sell them locally as the blurb suggests.

I wonder how many of these increases are due to the reasons they state, and how many are due to the FSA locusts causing inflation by removing the supply?

Funny all them should spike simultaneously.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 04:04 PM (E5UB0)

64 Here in No. Ill. they like the soil and will grow anywhere. The birds love them and every year you find trees starting in the garden.


We do get the sort of weedy, garden-invading type mulberry bushes here but they rarely fruit. In this area only the rarer full-sized trees seem to fruit. But yep, you do have to battle the birds for the fruit!

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 04:06 PM (HMt16)

65 46 Jujubes are sometimes called Chinese apples or Chinese dates.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 03:34 PM

-----------------------
I thought jujubes was that candy sold in theatres that pulled out your fillings and/or was stuck under the seat or on the floor?

Posted by: olddog in mo at November 07, 2015 04:11 PM (c/3OG)

66 tulip poplar tree

Posted by: Carsie at November 07, 2015 03:38 PM (XkohI)

Yes and never ever let one get established anywhere near your house! It is a fast growing tree with no desirable properties!

Posted by: Hrothgar at November 07, 2015 04:14 PM (ftVQq)

67 That was a joke:

Q: What was Hitler's least favorite candy?

A: Jujubes.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 04:14 PM (E5UB0)

68 Bruce,

There is a famous mulberry (must be grafted) called Illinois Everbearing. It is a natural hybrid between white and red mulberries.

http://www.leereich.com/2013/06/mulberries-and-winner-is.html

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:15 PM (qahv/)

69 It has been fun doing up all the leaves this year. Every year we come across a box turtle under the leaves in the flower garden somewhere. We never see them in the summer. And it is pretty good size too!

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:15 PM (8ikIW)

70 Great tip on the birch twig tea, WhatWhatWhat?

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:18 PM (qahv/)

71 There is a famous mulberry (must be grafted) called Illinois
Everbearing. It is a natural hybrid between white and red mulberries.

That looks like it. I like to eat them. The birds do too, and then come looking for my car.

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:18 PM (8ikIW)

72 No takers on the "butterfly on the finger" challenge?

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:19 PM (qahv/)

73 Thanks for the mention of nannyberries. They sound like something that would be nice in the yard if kept as a shrub. Have to see if they will work in northern Virginia.

Posted by: JTB at November 07, 2015 04:20 PM (FvdPb)

74 No takers on the "butterfly on the finger" challenge?


Posted by: KT

Wine on your finger?

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:24 PM (8ikIW)

75 No takers on the "butterfly on the finger" challenge?
Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:19 PM (qahv/)


We have to by them a beer?

Seriously, I know a woman who is afraid of butterflies. I've seen her scamper away when one is near.

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 04:25 PM (DrCtv)

76 66 Yes and never ever let one get established anywhere near your house! It is a fast growing tree with no desirable properties!
Posted by: Hrothgar at November 07, 2015 04:14 PM (ftVQq)
------
Amen to that. There is a monster tulip poplar just a few yards from our house. An arborist said it's healthy, but it's dropped some massive limbs during storms. I'm getting estimates now to have it taken down.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at November 07, 2015 04:26 PM (VMKPX)

77 I'm jealous of all those that can grow a large variety of trees and bushes. About the only things that grow here are Pines, Elms, Chokecherries, Currents, Cotoneasters, Rocky Mountain Junipers and Lilacs.

Posted by: Ronster at November 07, 2015 04:28 PM (mUa7N)

78
It took me several years to realize the reason the big, beautiful mulberry tree on my place wouldn't bear fruit...

Male! Who knew?

The smaller one on the edge of the property does have a nice crop each year that I can rarely salvage a few before the birds.

Posted by: Spun and Murky at November 07, 2015 04:31 PM (4DCSq)

79 http://tinyurl.com/qaz6lfp

If any want to read the coyote article.


Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 04:31 PM (MpCWm)

80 JTB, the blackhaw or one of the others might be better for your area than a nannyberry. Mildew won't kill the nannyberry tree, but affects its appearance in summer. Check out the links above. Lots of available viburnums.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:32 PM (qahv/)

81 Beer and wine are good guesses for the "butterfly on the finger" challenge. Some butterflies feed on fermented fruit.

For the little blues, however, it is something different.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:35 PM (qahv/)

82 I'm guessing salt water.

Posted by: Ronster at November 07, 2015 04:35 PM (mUa7N)

83 For the little blues, however, it is something different.
Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:35 PM (qahv/)


If they want expensive Scotch, then forget it! But I'm guessing something sweet, like honey.

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 04:38 PM (DrCtv)

84 But my very favorite trees are mulberry trees, because they provide dee-licious snacks on the go while hiking, straight off the trees. If only they weren't so highly perishable, they'd be in every produce section. Mulberry trees aren't super-common in my area, so it's always a delight to come across one on a hike.

There are two big Red Mulberry trees where I often hike along the Niagara Gorge. I always stop and pig out.


Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? at November 07, 2015 03:53 PM (HMt16)

In my neck of the woods (metaphorically speaking since the central plains are not known for their abundance of trees), mulberries are a noxious, invasive weed right up there with baby elm trees. If you don't rip them out when they are tiny seedings, they grow roots to China. Both mulberries and baby elms infest my butterfly garden and I have to get out there with the heavy duty pruners to cut them off near ground level -- thus encouraging them to redouble their above ground growth. I have frequently thought of very carefully painting some of their leaves with Round-up or some other powerful weed killer, but I know their roots much be entwined with the other plants in there and I'm afraid the poison would spread.

Posted by: catlady at November 07, 2015 04:40 PM (bn5b8)

85 Mama AJ,

I love that arrangement, too. And the link, Y-not.

There is a possibility that those are fake plastic fruits. If I were looking for a substitute, I might choose some dry thistle heads for fall. Or other dried seed heads of some sort.

Looking forward to seeing some arrangements by members of The Horde.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:42 PM (qahv/)

86 72 No takers on the "butterfly on the finger" challenge?

Posted by: KT
------------

Blue Moon Beer?

Posted by: olddog in mo at November 07, 2015 04:42 PM (c/3OG)

87 80 ... I'll check those out. We are starting to talk about the garden for next year and bird/butterfly attractors are a factor.

Fortunately, our wisteria flowers attract humming birds. I've been able to get with a few inches of them on occasion. The whole bird isn't as big as my pinkie (big hands). A remarkable experience.

Posted by: JTB at November 07, 2015 04:45 PM (FvdPb)

88 Ronster nailed it! Salt water or sweat.

The first step is to find some male azure or blue butterflies who are already "puddling" (visiting puddles) to get minerals. Then you invite one to come aboard your salty finger. You can then transfer it to your nose or to another person's finger or nose.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:47 PM (qahv/)

89 84 Posted by: catlady at November 07, 2015 04:40 PM (bn5b



Roundup will not spread across plants via the roots. But if they are that close together you have to be careful when spraying the one plant that you don't get it on the leaves of the nearby plant.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 07, 2015 04:48 PM (t2KH5)

90 What do you mean, "a cute little ball of fluff"? Look how sharp my beak is! I'm a killer, I tell you! A *killer*!

Posted by: Troglodytes troglodytes at November 07, 2015 04:53 PM (gjLib)

91 KT, Does that salt water trick work with other butterflies? That would just be so cool!

Posted by: JTB at November 07, 2015 04:53 PM (FvdPb)

92 Those brown ball-shaped things on the floral centerpiece look like russet apples to me.

Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at November 07, 2015 04:54 PM (gjLib)

93 Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:47 PM (qahv/)

Oh lord, I can just see it now. The woman I mentioned above who is afraid of butterflies also sweats fairly easily.

Her being chased by thousands of butterflies...

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 04:54 PM (DrCtv)

94 JTB you can substitute goose poo for salt water. Butterflies love the poo.

Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 04:55 PM (MpCWm)

95 Roundup will not spread across plants via the roots.
But if they are that close together you have to be careful when
spraying the one plant that you don't get it on the leaves of the nearby
plant.


Posted by: Vic-we have no party

The guy that fertilizes the lawn suggested for the quackgrass I have in the lawn to use Roundup but apply it with a brush or sponge so that you have a little more control. I haven't tried it. It's green in the summer and that's all I care about.

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:56 PM (8ikIW)

96 Pollen

Posted by: weft cut-loop at November 07, 2015 04:57 PM (rSTkb)

97 Nannyberry lady is kind of hot.

Posted by: Weasel at November 07, 2015 04:58 PM (e3bId)

98 95 The guy that fertilizes the lawn suggested for the
quackgrass I have in the lawn to use Roundup but apply it with a brush
or sponge so that you have a little more control. I haven't tried it.
It's green in the summer and that's all I care about.


Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:56 PM (8ikIW)


If the quackgrass is a broadleaf plant they do make week killers that target broadleaf plants and leave narrow bladed grass alone.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 07, 2015 05:01 PM (t2KH5)

99 The moonflowers are about over- probably time to pull it up. The morning glories, which did not deign to bloom until October, are still going strong, though.

We don't get much color change here in N Tx, but I do love fall for soil amendment, composting, etc. The weather fluctutations are making the bulbs nuts, though.

Posted by: Sal at November 07, 2015 05:02 PM (MRX6w)

100 If the quackgrass is a broadleaf plant they do make
week killers that target broadleaf plants and leave narrow bladed grass
alone.


Posted by: Vic-we have no party

Sadly those won't work on quack grass. They have a rhizome type root and the regular broadleaf killer just pisses them off.

Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 05:05 PM (8ikIW)

101 Yes, scientists often have a sense of humor.
I know these 2 guys, they are biologists, one is a mushroom guy (he is really a fun guy... cymbal hit) and the other is a reptile specialist and the mushroom guy always thought that the reptile guy was "a real prick" in spite of being pals and all, some guys use that term as a compliment.

Anyway, the mushroom guy discovers a new species of 'shroom and he noticed that it looks like a human male organ, shall we say, in a state of arousal.

So, he named it after the reptile guy, you can google it for the image if you like.
It is called "phallus drewsii".

Posted by: navybrat at November 07, 2015 05:08 PM (ETxiG)

102 94 ... Traye, Butterflies are neat but not goose poo neat. Alternatives are called for.

Posted by: JTB at November 07, 2015 05:10 PM (FvdPb)

103 Our garden is pretty much mud, but we still got peppers of 3 or 4 kinds. And they are very good!

Posted by: Eromero at November 07, 2015 05:12 PM (b+df9)

104 Bronco billy has to be the worst Clint movie evah.

Is there a worse one?

Posted by: weft cut-loop at November 07, 2015 05:13 PM (rSTkb)

105 Tulip poplar?

Posted by: Abby Normal at November 07, 2015 05:19 PM (EdD1F)

106 >>>88 Salt water or sweat.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 04:47 PM (qahv/)

Or maybe tears?

Posted by: m at November 07, 2015 05:26 PM (tElZn)

107 JTB,

Traye is right, goose poo would attract even more butterflies! Dog poo or dog food works with many, too. But the salt water/sweat alternative should work with species that "puddle". These include some of the big swallowtails.

Often it is the males that puddle. They acquire minerals to give to the females as a "gift" with sperm.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 05:27 PM (qahv/)

108 tulip poplar is my vote also.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger and All That at November 07, 2015 05:30 PM (Xo1Rt)

109 >>Or maybe tears?


As the butterflies gather on your face?

Hell, that creeps even me out. And I'm not creepd out easily.

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 05:30 PM (DrCtv)

110 Ronster,

I love lilacs.

You might be able to get a nannyberry to grow where you are, though. It takes some drought. Maybe not as much drought as a lilac. Doesn't need swampy conditions despite its moisture tolerance, however.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 05:31 PM (qahv/)

111 104
Bronco billy has to be the worst Clint movie evah.

Is there a worse one?



Posted by: weft cut-loop at November 07, 2015 05:13 PM (rSTkb)

I thought Pink Cadillac was worse and I couldn't sit through trouble with the curve it was so bad.

Posted by: Vic-we have no party at November 07, 2015 05:31 PM (t2KH5)

112 JTB,

Maybe you could set up a butterfly puddling station on a flattish rock or somethiing. Then we wouldn't have to worry about HH's nightmare of male butterflies gathering on your face if you shed a tear.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 05:35 PM (qahv/)

113 >>Or maybe tears?

As the butterflies gather on your face?

Hell, that creeps even me out. And I'm not creepd out easily.
Posted by: HH
--------------------------------------------------
I need to star in a remake of Amityville Horror, with butterflies instead of flies.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 05:35 PM (E5UB0)

114 Thanks, KT. I will look into the possibility. Had to cut down my oldest Lilac. Planted it to close to a building and needed to paint the building.

Posted by: Ronster at November 07, 2015 05:36 PM (mUa7N)

115 They acquire minerals to give to the females as a "gift" with sperm.
Posted by: KT

"Hey girl, you want some "minerals"?"

Everywhere butterfly sjw are yelling "rape culture."

Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 05:40 PM (MpCWm)

116 >>>Everywhere butterfly sjw are yelling "rape culture."
Posted by: traye at November 07, 2015 05:40 PM (MpCWm)

Butterfly lives matter.

Posted by: m at November 07, 2015 05:43 PM (tElZn)

117 "Puddling" sounds like some practice that Barney Frank engages in that I'd rather not know about.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 05:43 PM (E5UB0)

118 Yes, traye, those male butterflies are planning crafty ways to get sex all the time.

And I think the Azures and Blues have among the cutest butterfly faces in the world. What's a little girl butterfly supposed to do?

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 05:46 PM (qahv/)

119 I like the idea of a 'puddling station'. It would be easy to set up. Don't cry a lot but sweat plenty. Not worried about butterflies on my face but they would probably get tangled in my beard.

Posted by: JTB at November 07, 2015 05:47 PM (FvdPb)

120 The Larch!!!

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at November 07, 2015 05:47 PM (hVdx9)

121 Hoop dancer. For a bigger woman she has some moves.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at November 07, 2015 05:47 PM (hVdx9)

122 Ronster,

A nannyberry might not be the best choice next to a building unless you control the suckers every year. Doesn't sound too hard to do, though.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 05:48 PM (qahv/)

123 "They acquire minerals to give to the females as a "gift" with sperm.
Posted by: KT "
*****

Pfffft. Men have been doing that for a long time. We call the minerals diamonds.

Posted by: Tilikum Killer Assault Whale at November 07, 2015 05:49 PM (hVdx9)

124 I learned my lesson. No more planting close to a building or under the power lines.

Posted by: Ronster at November 07, 2015 05:50 PM (mUa7N)

125 Here, honey, happy anniversary.

**hands gift to wifey**

What the hell is this? It's a shaker of salt?

But, in nature, a male gives minerals like salt to his beautiful butterfly mate.

**ducks to avoid getting hit in the head with salt shaker missile**


Posted by: imagining this comical Moron situation at November 07, 2015 05:58 PM (REdlt)

126 love wrens and love the video

Posted by: Caliban at November 07, 2015 06:03 PM (3GFMN)

127 **ducks to avoid getting hit in the head with salt shaker missile**


Methinks you would be lucky if that is all that happened.

Posted by: HH at November 07, 2015 06:04 PM (DrCtv)

128 119 I like the idea of a 'puddling station'. It would be easy to set up. Don't cry a lot but sweat plenty. Not worried about butterflies on my face but they would probably get tangled in my beard.
Posted by: JTB at November 07, 2015 05:47 PM (FvdPb)


I like the idea of a pudding station even better!

Posted by: The Average Moron at November 07, 2015 06:04 PM (EclzG)

129 I just realized that the picture of the Haw Berry wren is a video; it's very sweet.

Posted by: m at November 07, 2015 06:05 PM (tElZn)

130 today was "put the perennial gardens to bed" day. november is such a sad and sweet month. love the fact that the grass is still green but the trees have no leaves (except the oaks). creates a very pretty effect with our white Colonial houses in the pale november sunlight.

Posted by: Caliban at November 07, 2015 06:07 PM (3GFMN)

131 november is such a sad and sweet month. love the fact that the grass is still green but the trees have no leaves (except the oaks). creates a very pretty effect with our white Colonial houses in the pale november sunlight.
Posted by: Caliban


beep boop boop
https://youtu.be/2EvLqcacFPw

Posted by: weft cut-loop at November 07, 2015 06:12 PM (rSTkb)

132
Whats the airspeed of an unladen European Wren?

Posted by: OG Celtic-American at November 07, 2015 06:13 PM (qul7b)

133 For a centerpiece last year I brought a stalk of Brussels sprouts. The produce guy thought it was a hoot. I even knew the parsnips, kohlrabi and turnips but didn't think they would make a fun centerpiece.

Posted by: mustbequantum at November 07, 2015 06:14 PM (MIKMs)

134 Tulip Tree

Posted by: Evi L. Bloggerlady at November 07, 2015 06:17 PM (hUf3d)

135 >>>november is such a sad and sweet month.


Yeah, but April is the cruellest month.

Posted by: T. S. Eliot at November 07, 2015 06:20 PM (E5UB0)

136 Tulip poplar

Posted by: Denise Wolfsberger at November 07, 2015 06:22 PM (PVBzL)

137 What's happening in my garden this weekend? Snow, four inches. Followed by 40F resulting in mud, two inches. That's good conditions for weeding with a front end loader as it will pull thistles and cinquefoil out by the roots. Yay tractors!

Posted by: Jimmy don\'t play that at November 07, 2015 06:30 PM (F5OyJ)

138 Down around where my mom grew up they harvest Mayhaws. I grew up loving mayhaw jelly. They still have a Mayhaw festival there.

That got me to thinking. Are Mayhaws related to hawberries, what is the origin of the word haw and what does it mean, and how does Hee Haw fit in to this?

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 06:34 PM (BO/km)

139 And then there's Hawthorn.

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 06:35 PM (BO/km)

140 Are Mayhaws related to hawberries, what is the origin of the word haw and what does it mean, and how does Hee Haw fit in to this?

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 06:34 PM (BO/km)




No one really knows for certain....

Posted by: Lord Haw-Haw at November 07, 2015 06:36 PM (GUBah)

141 That got me to thinking. Are Mayhaws related to hawberries, what is the origin of the word haw and what does it mean, and how does Hee Haw fit in to this?
Posted by: freaked
------------------------------------------------------
The word "haw" originated as the typical laugh of demons in Jack T. Chick's evangelical tracts.

Don't believe me? Look at the third from last panel here:

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0009/0009_01.asp

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 06:43 PM (E5UB0)

142 In my quest I have discovered hawberry ketchup.

Also that Mayhaws are part of the hawthorn family and ripen in May so there you go.

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 06:45 PM (BO/km)

143 new funny pic thread.

Posted by: Bruce Boehner at November 07, 2015 06:45 PM (E5UB0)

144 Wren animated

http://tinyurl.com/ov9a69x

Posted by: bour3 at November 07, 2015 06:51 PM (5x3+2)

145 Whatever happened to good old Bertha Butt anyway?

Posted by: BamaBubba at November 07, 2015 06:59 PM (vKTRb)

146 Freaked,

Here is a recipe for Highbush Cranberry ketchup to go with your Hawthorne ketchup.

It is from the Nannyberry Sauce cook.

http://tinyurl.com/pkjppta

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 07:06 PM (qahv/)

147 Wow. Late to party.

Content!

Liriodendron tulipifera.

I would have never guessed Bald Cypress last week other than the fruit/cone.

Now to content.

Posted by: Golfman - Xenophobe Extrodinaire at November 07, 2015 07:09 PM (RMvSQ)

148 Bruce I don't know how you conjured that up but that was freaky.

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 07:38 PM (BO/km)

149 I have been too narrow minded about ketchup in the past. A whole new world of condiments has been opened up to me.

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 07:41 PM (BO/km)

150 Sorry Y-not, gotta throw the challenge flag on the tree ID.

Your 'bald cypress' is way too full to be a bald cypress, based on the ones we have around here (and you'd be hard pressed to swing a dead 'possum without hitting a bald cypress around here!).

I'm still in the red cedar (of some sort) camp.

If your cypress still has leaves this time of year, it may not be bald...

Posted by: Spun and Murky at November 07, 2015 07:55 PM (4DCSq)

151 Green walnut ketchup is the most unusual I have see. It was in an old Joy of Cooking. I guess you have to know somebody with a tree to make that one.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 07:55 PM (qahv/)

152 I used to have a black walnut tree. Ketchup from those nuts would probably turn you mouth purple.

I'm trying to imagine what you put green walnut ketchup on. Pancakes?

Posted by: freaked at November 07, 2015 08:00 PM (BO/km)

153 Leafsnap totally sucks!

Posted by: Rewrite! at November 07, 2015 08:15 PM (pLR2Y)

154 Last week's tree is not a cypress. It is some kind of yew. Some yews do attain enormous size. And that ball-shaped item is not a fruit, just an ordinary gall.

Posted by: lauraw at November 07, 2015 08:19 PM (Ed9Bw)

155 crap, well I never saw bark like that on a cypress but I guess it does happen. Now I'm not sure again. Dammit

Posted by: lauraw at November 07, 2015 08:30 PM (Ed9Bw)

156 Re the floral arrangement. The pink flowers are dahlias and ranunculus. I work for a commercial grower in California of both these items. Our field grown dahlia season is just now ending. I doubt we will make it to Thanksgiving this year. Our ranunculus crop runs end of January thru April. So for these two flowers to be in same bouquet means at least one is greenhouse grown out of season. Expensive.

Posted by: Merrie at November 07, 2015 08:42 PM (wiCVR)

157 Freaked,

If I am remembering correctly, green walnut ketchup was a sauce for meats and such. I think it had a fair amount of vinegar in it. Book said it preceded tomato ketchup in the USA.

The only other thing I remember was that you had to pierce the immature walnuts with a needle.

Posted by: KT at November 07, 2015 08:55 PM (qahv/)

158 Tree: Tulip Poplar.

Posted by: Book at November 07, 2015 08:55 PM (AcRvF)

159 Here in No. Ill. they like the soil and will grow anywhere. The birds love them and every year you find trees starting in the garden.
Posted by: Bruce at November 07, 2015 04:00 PM

Where in N IL Bruce, I'm in Dixon.

Used to farm and the damn mulberrys were a nuisance, big time.

Posted by: Farmer at November 07, 2015 09:04 PM (o/90i)

160 Last week's tree.

http://bit.ly/1iKzsjl

I think the "fruit" is a green cone.

It also has the trailing, drooping flower.



Posted by: Golfman - Xenophobe Extrodinaire at November 07, 2015 11:24 PM (48QDY)

161 Minneapolis, and we picked about 1 1/4 gallons of green tomatoes today. They're still blooming. The peppers are still producing. Zucchini and yellow squash just bloomed again. The only things that have died are the cucumbers and taters.

Wife says I have to take down the tomatoes tomorrow. I say, let 'em go. We might get another two weeks out of them if the forecast holds.

Posted by: Gordon at November 08, 2015 12:40 AM (hqhmo)

162
"I like the idea of a 'puddling station'. It would be easy to set up.
Don't cry a lot but sweat plenty. Not worried about butterflies on my
face but they would probably get tangled in my beard."

So... shave an SJW hispter or 2 (it's for the butterflies!), chain them down in your yard, and put Rush Limbaugh on audio loop?

Posted by: Joe at November 08, 2015 12:55 AM (X4NE3)

163 Grammiewinger
"Specific items include: fruiting wild dogwood, pears, Genovese basil gone to seed, cinnamon basil, wild privet berries, maple leaves, a la mode dahlias, and David Austin garden roses"

Posted by: Y-not on the phone at November 08, 2015 07:07 AM (t5zYU)

164 When in doubt, read the links. Heh.

Sounds like that arrangement is fragrant, too.

The all-foliage arrangements are nice for low arrangements where you need to see the person across the table from you.

Posted by: KT at November 08, 2015 09:51 AM (qahv/)

165 Tree looks like a tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera

Posted by: Daves Not Here at November 08, 2015 10:57 AM (F3Aw9)

166 Vic --- we have no party, comment 95: That's why I said "paint". I was talking about taking a kid's paint brush and very carefully applying a drop of two of Round-up to some individual leaves. You have no idea how much the mere idea gripes me. I haven't used anything other than organics for decades. (Small children, very curious little cats and rambunctious dogs -- not to mention ambitious squirrels and crazy bird.) But I just don't see any other option.catlady

Posted by: Catlady at November 08, 2015 01:21 PM (OrWp7)

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John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate
"Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long)
The Donkey ("The Raven" parody)
News/Chat