Friday, February 6, 2015

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS

Did you know that trees shed their skins, much like snakes? Or, at least, some of them do.


The largest of our cedar elms does so on a regular basis, and it's one of my very favorite things to watch.


You know it's coming when you spot little patches of bright rust peeking out from all the gray.



Once the process is complete, this tree will be all cinnamon-smooth, sinewy muscle -- at least, for a while.



One just can't top Mother Nature when it comes to artistic flair, can one?
 

4 comments:

musingegret said...

Absolutely gorgeous pics....on the 2nd to last pic, is that some type of succulent growing naturally on the tree? (like staghorns do). Have a wonderful weekend; it's gonna be warm and gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I have not noticed the Cedar Elms on our place shedding, I will have to look more carefully. Have you ever seen the Madrone trees shedding, their new bark is pink and they are really beautiful. Madrones are found in the Big Bend area and sparsely found in the Hill Country.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful bark, that's an inspiration for some texture in itself. xox

Hill Country Hippie said...

M.D. I was wondering about that myself -- whether it was one of those "air" plants that don't need soil.
Donna, I have never seen a Madrone in person, only pictures. I have heard they are gorgeous, but difficult to transplant which is why you rarely find them in the nurseries.
Corrine, the patterns, textures and colors are truly a work of art!