Following a tree 2014
I have decided to once again follow a tree for a year with Lucy at Loose and leafy and many others. My dilemma is always which tree to choose as there is such a selection!
I always admire these trees on the journey to work (I hasten to add I am usually the passenger!). As I took these pictures a friend drove past and was concerned that I had broken down - so I think I will continue to enjoy them from the car window without stopping !
Last year I was intending to follow this avenue of trees. My husband was in hospital just as their leaves started to appear and so I missed the opportunity and maybe it was a bit ambitious! Regular readers will remember in 2012 I followed this willlow tree for a year.
This year I am trying to make life as simple as possible, so I have decided to pick this apple tree, which is at the bottom of our garden. We have a bench close by where we often sit, so hopefully this will give us lots of time to observe the changes through the year. What is your favourite tree in the garden?
We planted this tree in the garden twenty one years ago and it has brought us so much pleasure over the years and many many delicious apples. The windfalls we always leave for the wildlife. As it has been quite mild there hasn't been such a need for this food over the winter.
This picture in 1993 shows it on the far right of the picture. We planted many trees in the garden and one of the highlights of our gardening has been to see them mature (just like the children!)
Before planting a tree we went to a local fruit farm and tasted all the apples. Our favourite dessert apple was called "Fiesta", and so this was the variety we bought. It has a similar flavour to Cox, but is crisper and it also stores well. We finished eating last years crop at the beginning of January.
As you can see the buds are only just starting to form. It will look so different in a month's time!
Thank you Lucy, once again, for organising this. It is a wonderful way to celebrate trees! If you would like to join in too, please contact Lucy at the link at the top of the post.
Sarah x
That's a lovely tree to pick, full of memories!
ReplyDeleteThe cycle of trees is always fascinating, I love to watch the cherry tree at the bottom of my garden...I'll enjoy watching it too! :) x
DeleteI did so enjoy last year's 'tree'! Looking forward to watching the Apple tree!! Spring has sprung -taking the caravan to Bridport next Friday! At last!! YAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt has felt like Spring this week, hope the good weather remains for your days in Dorset. Sarah x
DeleteI'd love to take part in this one year - but it will have to wait, this isn't the year for it! What a good idea to test the varieties at your local fruit farm before picking which to plant. I'm hoping that we'll move to somewhere with a garden big enough for some fruit trees, it would be such a treat. Juliex
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI love this following a tree for a year and your apple tree is going to be lovely to watch and I look forward to seeing it with you. My favorite tree in our yard has to be the little dwarf apple tree my father gave me - it is a French variety and has crisp and juicy apples
Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
It is wonderful to take the time to really notice the individual trees around us - and to celebrate them. It has been sad to lose so many this winter to the storms across the country.
ReplyDeleteI think that it will make a very interesting project to photograph your apple tree for a year and will make a great record for you! xx
ReplyDeleteApples are some of my favourite trees. How wonderful that you were able to go and taste the different varieties, I've always thought that this would be a really great idea but I've never seen it done. Amazing that an apple tree has lived to be over 200 years old. I shall look forward to seeing your tree through the season, especially the blossom, I absolutely love it.
ReplyDeleteI just love trees . I have recently seen the ones on the internet that really look like people . I love your pics and the beauty around you my friend. Hugs. Sherry
ReplyDeleteYou might have something there I fell I look as wrinkly as the tree bark! Sarah x
DeleteNo trees in our courtyard garden ... but if it were possible to plant some I'd have fruit trees too. Especially because twigs and bark from the pruning give lovely pinky shades in the dyepot :)
ReplyDeleteThat would be worth trying as part of the project.Sarah x
DeleteBeautiful winter tree photos!
ReplyDeleteI too have chosen a garden tree. One that I know so well, an ornamental crab apple.
We have one of these in the garden so it will be nice to compare. Sarah x
DeleteSarah, this is a good idea. I was looking at some old photos lately and was shocked to see just how little a particular pine tree was when we moved here in 1981. Now it towers over our driveway. It's so easy to not notice from year to year the growth of trees unless you take a photo to compare.
ReplyDeleteit is so easy to forget how big the trees grow especially when you have lived in one place for a long time. Sarah x
DeleteNice post! and your garden is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to follow a tree! The spring is there, the sun shining and I go in the garden, there is a lot of weet waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteSigrun
I will enjoy watching you tree, I think it's a great thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit disappointed when I found you had decided not to follow any of the trees in the picture at the top of the post. They look really interesting and dramatic. But hearing the affection you have for your apple tree - and seeing its gnarliness - I now look forward to watching its progress through the year through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea; to observe and take into account the life around us, not just in human form, but in flora and fauna. The trees of England are a marvel to me, and I have a fabulous book that my husband gifted to me with gorgeous photos of the trees of England, trees that I've never seen here in the states.
Enjoy your weekend, observing nature and telling about it! Hugs to you and Daisy!
Lovely apple tree to follow. I love the gnarly bits on the trunk.
ReplyDeleteI'm joining in with Lucy and the others as well.
What a great idea to follow a tree for a year! I look forward to seeing your apple tree's progress this year, especially since we don't have an apple tree at our new home. You might just inspire me to plant another one!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely way to reward your little apple tree for all the pleasure it has given over the years by documenting it's year,
ReplyDeleteof the trees I planted in my garden it is the Downy Birches I love best because of the beautiful peeling silvery cream bark, they are still small, I love the coloured willows too but as I coppice them they are more like shrubs, Frances
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ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more about your apple tree in the months ahead ...
ReplyDeleteI really look forward to reading about this tree. I think it was a perfect choice.
ReplyDeleteI think that you are sensible to pick a tree in your own garden - I recorded our Rowan Trees but just during the four seasons which I found took enough time. It is surprising how they decide to have their best colour or another trick they do is drop their leaves all usually whilst you are away!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely idea! I can't wait to see more pictures of your apple tree and it's life cycle.
ReplyDeleteWhat a characterful apple tree, I will enjoy watching it through the year - and much easier than having to stop by the side of the road regularly, however beautiful those trees are!
ReplyDeleteLovely to live in a good fruit growing area - I will also enjoy your apple tree Sarah.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful apple tree Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI hope that i can keep up with your posts about it.
you have had it a very long time..
nice photos of the trees.
I only have olive trees around really.
What a great idea- it will be very interesting to watch it grow and change with the seasons:)
ReplyDeleteLovely to have had a tree so long and now to see it mature. I hope you enjoy following your tree.
ReplyDeleteI do like apple trees!
ReplyDeleteApple trees are wonderful , I would like so much to have one like yours in my backyard but unfortunately they don't grow here! I like the whole scenery of your garden Sarah, it's really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week!
Olympia
A lovely apple tree. What a great tree to follow. First watching the blossom come out, with lots of bees pollinating it. And then fruit. And it's such a nice shape.
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah, Because of your lovely posting about "Follow A Tree" I have joined you all too. Your apple trees looks very healthy and I am sure those apples are most delicious. Your garden is very lovely too. I wish my backyard looked so green. Hugs Judy
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, So glad to hear I have inspired you to join us. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteOh, what a fun idea. I will enjoy viewing your tree in different seasons.
ReplyDeleteI have thought of taking a photo of one spot on the beach every day. We don't have much in the way of seasonal changes, but our beach changes daily with the tide and the movement of the sand.
Just ran across your blog and love the concept of following a tree! My favorite is the Magnolia...beautiful blooms, smells good and is green all year!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful idea Sarah. Looking forward to seeing the changes that different seasons bring.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
In my opinion you selected the perfect tree to follow for a year. So many lovely changes, blossoms, leaves, fruit, turning leaves as the year goes on. I look forward to many lovely visions of your apple tree.
ReplyDelete