Thanksgiving 2021

Time to pause and reflect. The pandemic drags on, change is everywhere, and upheaval abounds, but there is still a lot for which to be grateful!

Enjoy the day, and spend some time appreciating the simple pleasures of life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Farewell to the Chinese Elm

 Farewell to the Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) that has graced our yard with shade and dappled light for many years. It has also provided sanctuary for the many birds and squirrels that make use of our yard throughout the seasons.

Chinese elm with broken branch (Summer 2021)

The Chinese elm was infected with Anthracnose, a slow-moving fungal disease that causes lesions on leaves, cankers on twigs and stems, and distorted limbs. Eventually the disease can surround a branch, causing it to die and then drop to the ground after heavy rain or wind. Our arborist monitored the tree for the last 20 years, and pruned as needed to keep the tree as healthy as possible. Over the last couple of years though, limb drop has become more frequent. This last summer, two limbs came down in a windstorm, revealing more cankers.

Two broken branches revealed more cankers and disease

The disease had progressed to a point where the tree was no longer safe and had lost quite a bit of its canopy from therapeutic pruning. Time to remove the Chinese Elm! Oakland is known for its trees, and protects them rigorously. We followed the city's procedure and applied for a permit to remove the tree. This request becomes public record, and citizens have several weeks to protest the tree removal. We posted our red card, to indicate the tree in question. The process takes about six weeks.

Permit request procedure invites public discourse

Our permit was issued with no protest, and a crew from Elite Tree Service removed the tree professionally and efficiently. A few days later they returned to grind the stump. I'm sorry to see the tree go, but I did feel a sense of relief that no more branches would be descending into the yard, or onto cars parked on the street.

Chinese elm stump

Remains of the stump after grinding

We requested the wood chips, and ended up with a nice pile of them. They will be recycled here on our small urban lot, and return to the land. 

Wood chips from the Chinese elm

Full view of the oak tree without the Chinese elm

Without the tree, we feel a little exposed to public view, but now have an opportunity to plant a new tree in the prepared area. Farewell to the Chinese elm, but your wood chips remain!

Seeds to Dye For: November Check In

This is my final report on the seeds that I planted back in April, all of which produce flowers that are used to dye fabric. I sowed seeds in containers, and have reported on them over the last seven months (see Seeds to Dye For and related posts). So far I've used the calendula flowers for a dye project (see Solar Dyeing with Calendula), and have collected and dried the coreopsis flowers for a future dye project. This time I'm reporting on the marigolds (Tagetes signata).

Marigolds in November

It's November in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the marigolds are still going strong. In fact, they are flourishing after the the recent winter rains. The plants look a little disheveled, because the container is a favorite place for squirrels to stash acorns throughout September and October.

 

Planting seeds in late April

Putting on growth in early August (pottery boot by Jason Quisenberry)

According to Botanical Colors, marigold flowers produce a wide range of colors in the yellow, brown, and tan range. The variations depend on the mordants used, and the number of times the fabric is dipped. Marigolds can also be used as an overdye with indigo to produce various shades of teal and blue.

Good growth and flower buds in September

Closer look at the marigold flower buds

I've been collecting the flowers and drying them over the last month. As with the coreopsis, the flowers are quite small, and I'm not sure how much color they will yield. Next time I'll try planting Tagetes erecta, which has larger flowers. They were not available from Renee's Garden back in April due to supply chain problems, but I'm looking forward to trying both and comparing!

First flowers in mid-September

Plant Aquarium: Magnolia

 Two magnolia trees grow in our small, triangular-shaped urban yard, one at two of the vertices. The trees provide wonderful year-round interest, including leaves, flowers, fruit, and seeds. They also provide deep shade for our yard, and food and protection for birds, squirrels, and small mammals.

Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora is a medium to large evergreen tree that is native to the southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to eastern Texas. It is endemic to subtropical forests, but is grown in warm climates around the world. The leaves are simple and broadly ovate with smooth margins. They are dark green and leathery, and the underleaf is pubescent, typically in yellow-brown, or white. 

Magnolia flower and leaves

Polyfollicular magnolia fruit

The flowers are large, white, and waxy. The fruit is rose-colored, ovoid, and polyfollicular. The seeds are bright orange, and are eaten by squirrels, opossum, and birds. Once established, the magnolia is surprisingly drought tolerant, though may drop leaves in times of extreme drought or at the end of the dry season. The magnolia is well adapted to fire, The bark is thin, but the cork layer underneath does not burn easily. The seeds, however, are killed by fire.

Rose-colored fruit

Magnolia seeds

Even though the trees are not native to the Bay Area, we enjoy having them in the yard. Drought may keep them more compact than they would grow elsewhere, and they are lovely to watch as they go through their yearly life cycle.

Learn More:

• Wikipedia
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• U.S. Forest Services