John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

The Willow tree is unique in many ways, it has long flowing branches that can hang down to the ground, and it is both fragile and rugged. They are susceptible to wind and ice-storm damage, with the great ability to recover. Willow trees love water and grow fast and like other fast growing trees produce weak wood fiber. The trees shown are along the shore of Lake St. Claire in southeast Michigan. In a more tree-friendly setting they would all look alike, but here they face strong winds from a 25 mile fetch across the lake and ice storms, sometimes both at once. As a result of this adversity each tree is unique, displaying its history of trauma and recovery. If adversity builds character, I guess you could say these trees have character. I thought of doing this post in the spring but the leaves obscured the damage. The trees are at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford historic home estate.

I recommend downloading and if you're really interested in texture even double downloading some, as there is a secondary finer texture besides the obvious macro bark texture. Thanks for viewing - John

That is an old break and both parts are alive and produce leaves.

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This one was given a steel crutch.

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This is not the whole tree, it is the part that broke off. Note the horizontal portion to the left . . .

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. . .it is connected to the tree at the far left.

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These multiple trunks are probably from an old stump that produced sprouts that grew together.

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Both parts are alive. The one on the left has also had the top broken off.

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Imagine the critters that might spend the night in there.

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Walking along the path it is clear that this tree has a real history.

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When you go behind the tree you see the real damage. The bark is starting to grow around the break

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jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice shots of these old fellows, John. Just don’t plant any of them around a septic system.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

When I was growing up in NYC a neighbor had a Weeping Willow which was beautiful. I don't recall it looking like any of these. These really appear to be fragile - hopefully some cuttings are being planted and will eventually replace these. Thanks for sharing John.

DickC Loc: NE Washington state

A nice group, thanks for sharing!!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

John, a very nice narrative and photo-documentary.
--Bob

Steve V Loc: New Jersey

Great write up and series. Love the download on 5, great detail.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Thanks for these, John. Not sure how old these guys are. Think of the human life span as the blink of an eye when seen from the perspective of a tree. Still fighting and struggling to survive and finding ways of expression after three or four hundred years...or three or four THOUSAND!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Really nice. Especially #5. Willows have a lot of character and you did a fine job capturing it.

L-Fox

Fav #3 ...

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

What a creative approach, John! Impressive results.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Thank you very much, John. Tough on septic fields and sewer lines, or anything leaking water.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Thank you Elliott. Being a historic site that's had willow trees for 90 years, they'll only be replaced if they get broken down.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Thank you very much, Dick.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Thank you very much, Bob.

John from gpwmi Loc: Michigan

Thank you very much, Steve.