Tupelo Morning

Our favorite tree in the Back Woods, the swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica biflora) captured on a beautiful morning a few weeks ago when the wetlands were really full from the rains. Our intrepid volunteer George, who has since headed back to NC for the summer (you will be missed!), helped me carve out a little trail off the main path to this vista.

Lined with cut willow, the path even features a little log staircase leading up a spoil mound to a fabulous view of this gorgeous tupelo with it’s distinctive moss covered bottle shaped base. If you stop by for a visit, please do keep an eye out for poison ivy. We try to keep it off the immediate trails but, visitors do need to be aware they may come in contact with it if they stray from the trail. Do you remember the old warning…leaves of three, leave me be? Keep an eye out for our next post, it will be on how to identify poison ivy.

In the short period of time since this photo was taken, the tupelos have bloomed and are starting to push out new leaves. Soon we should be treated to a crop of green that turn to blue/black oblong drupes which are very popular with the wildlife crowd. More on our favorite tree in an upcoming post!