Archive for December, 2006

Update: Empress Tree

Friday, December 8th, 2006

DSCN9321, originally uploaded by trekr.

Another year of fantastic growth on the Empress Tree! You can see the extent of last year’s growth by looking at the interior verticle branches that don’t have any seed pods on them. The tree is 30 feet tall with a girth of 16 inches at 4 1/2 feet, and an average crown of 12 feet. The tree was planted in 2004.

Frost Weed

Friday, December 1st, 2006

Frost Weed, originally uploaded by trekr.

Frost weed (Verbesina virginica) is prized in Texas. At the first frost the water laden stem splits and the released water freezes in delicate patterns around the stem.