Phrenology report from central Ohio

A man fishing

I spent most of yesterday 200 miles south of home.

Spring moves quickly. They are about two weeks ahead of us in terms of phrenology. Their flowering trees are in full-throated roar. The redbud trees of central Ohio are exceptionally beautiful.

One thing I found notable about the area we were in was that the planners used native tree species. One street was lined with Tulip Trees on one side, Sweet Gum on the other while the next street over was lined with Tupelo.

Tree swallows are nesting two hundred miles south of Eaton Rapids

An apple tree growing in cattails.

The apple tree surrounded by cattails is an anamoly. Fruit trees are usually very sensitive to wet-feet. There are multitudes of microbes that will kill and rot the roots under those conditions.

Like all things in nature, individuals vary in their abilities. This particular specimen does not seem to be bothered by long periods of saturated soil.

I purloined a small twig from this tree. I am thinking of starting a collection of Malus specimens that demonstrate exceptional ability to resist wet feet. Who knows, maybe there will be some unidentified genes that will be of use in rootstock breeding programs.