A Celebration of Trees

 New York's Department of Environmental Conservation has announced an "Annual Arbor Day Original Artwork Poster Contest," inviting the public to submit original artwork (including photos) relating to New York's native trees. From what I can gather from their announcement, the only prize would be for the artwork to be used in a poster celebrating the trees of New York State. I happen to have several nice photos of trees just lying unseen, deep in my computer files, so I have submitted them to the contest, not expecting a prize, but just to dredge them up from the dark and share them with others, even if only the contest judges. I also share them here with my blog readers. And for those who also would like to participate, here's the link to information about this contest: https://www.dec.ny.gov/press/121765.html

I came upon this solitary young American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) one early spring, glowing as if it were lit from within in the dark of the woods, surrounded by towering White Pines (Pinus strobus).  Woods Hollow Nature Preserve, Milton, Saratoga County.

I love how the stark white of the trunks these small Paper Birches (Betula papyrifera) was reflected in the smooth ice of the lake, which was lightly dusted with snow. Moreau Lake State Park, Saratoga County.

The Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) is almost a sacred tree to me, since my need to know the name of this spectacular tree inspired a consuming desire to know the names of all the plants that surrounded it, here on the banks of the Hudson River at Moreau (Saratoga County). And of course, my obsession with knowing the names of plants didn't stop there!  No tree can rival the Black Tupelo for the magnificence of its autumn color.

These young oaks (Quercus sp.) were certainly lovely enough, sporting their copper-colored late-autumn leaves.  But oh, how that beauty was magnified when reflected in the shimmering water of the Hudson River at Moreau! Saratoga County.

Of all our native conifers, the bog-dwelling Tamarack (Larix laricina) is the only one to turn gold in the fall, before dropping all of its needles before winter.  How spectacular did these golden boughs appear, backed by a deep-green Adirondack forest of spruces and pines, so perfectly reflected in the still waters of Lens Lake! Warren County.