A weeping European beech - a tree that won't grow in the tropics

[estación seca]

After bloom season I face a major battle with the wisteria on my mom's gazebo. I'm going to take it back to a few very large trunks and only let it regrow well above ground level. This time I won't let it climb over the nearby hibiscus and grass. Depending on what I find some of the wooden gazebo slatting may need repair or replacement.

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by estación seca

After bloom season I face a major battle with the wisteria on my mom's gazebo. I'm going to take it back to a few very large trunks and only let it regrow well above ground level. This time I won't let it climb over the nearby hibiscus and grass. Depending on what I find some of the wooden gazebo slatting may need repair or replacement.

Mine is American Wisteria. In the spring I cut the top back to fingers.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Mine is American Wisteria. In the spring I cut the top back to fingers.

I don't remember whether this is American, Chinese or Japanese. I planted it there when I was in high school, in the early 1970s. I haven't been there when it's in flower for many years, so I don't remember how long are the inflorescences.

If anybody wants seed I'd be happy to send it!

[Leafmite]

That is a cool tree!

We lost our American Chestnut to the American Chestnut blight a couple of years ago but I thought it was cool to have one and to get nuts from it for a few years. RIP

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

That is a cool tree!

We lost our American Chestnut to the American Chestnut blight a couple of years ago but I thought it was cool to have one and to get nuts from it for a few years. RIP

Thank you. Amazing that you had one with the prevalence of that tree disease. Was this an old one that was in a remote location and able to avoid the blight? I hear they are able to survive long enough to produce seed which at least gives the species a chance to eventually side step the disease genetically.

[piping plover]

I was trying to upload photos last night of my weeping European purple beech. Trying again. This tree really needs a 2 acre front lawn to provide the right visual setting and not be crowded , oh well— i enjoy seeing it leaf out every spring. Unfortunately, I’ve had to butcher the lower branches otherwise it will “tent” out and take over the whole yard. Some magnificent green specimens over 120? Years old at the Newport Mansions and other private/ public gardens in Newport, Rhode Island—and in those settings they have the large lawns to properly spread out.

[MCD]

I have a couple of those weeping beech; tried to take some pictures but as the leaves are barely coming out they just blend into the background and there's not much to see.

BTW I love your handle, so in lieu of some beech pictures, here's a beach picture, with a bunch of those cute little guys.

[piping plover]

Originally Posted by MCD

I have a couple of those weeping beech; tried to take some pictures but as the leaves are barely coming out they just blend into the background and there's not much to see.

BTW I love your handle, so in lieu of some beech pictures, here's a beach picture, with a bunch of those cute little guys.

Thank you. Yes, I love these little guys—the piping plovers. I like to be where they are in the summer (cool maritime climate) and follow them where they are in the winter (warm sunny pleasant winters ). They have breeding populations here in New England (Rhode Island) and I believe up in Nova Scotia. Many people here resent them because due to their protected status if they nest/ breed on a beach, that beach is severely restricted or closed to most recreational use. I see them in Florida too,on Sanibel Island when I visit in winter. Apparently, they are very wealthy birds as they always seem to be on/threaten to close down the prime real estate $$$ beaches I see them at in New England and Florida.

Nova Scotia is one of my Places I really want to visit, Appears so beautiful. Bay of Fundy sounds amazing.

---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Are those Piping Plovers for sure? My understanding from the Chicago Tribune is that there are only 74 banded. Monty and Rose nested at Montrose Harbor for two seasons much to everyone's delightful. This year Rose did not return and Monty just died last week.

I digress. PP, you're wise to know the size limitations of your property. it's a hard thing to learn...

Yes, so true. When I planted this on our suburban lot 20+ years ago I was absolutely certain I was going to transplant the 8 foot tree to a country lot I planned to buy. But life happened…and 20 + years later we stayed in the burbs and the 8ft tree is too big.

---------- Post added at 11:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I planted the Chestnut tree. There were/are programs/nurseries that sell 'resistant' nuts and small trees and my dad planted one. A seed sprouted from his so he gave me it to plant. His tree died, too. Now I just have the two fir trees and an English Walnut, then all the small potted tropical trees.

Ah, interesting. My former neighbor in rural MD has one growing wild on her property, an old historic tobacco farm, very historic area near Annapolis. It must be at least 25 years old. Her adult daughter used to call it the snake tree because large black snakes used to live near the tree. Anyhow, whenever I go to visit I notice it is still going strong. About 10 miles away from there is some American Chestnut Trust or preserve; always intended to visit but never did. Seems like an important tree species that witnessed so much history in that part of the USA .

[Dollythehun]

Are those Piping Plovers for sure? My understanding from the Chicago Tribune is that there are only 74 banded. Monty and Rose nested at Montrose Harbor for two seasons much to everyone's delightful. This year Rose did not return and Monty just died last week.

I digress. PP, you're wise to know the size limitations of your property. it's a hard thing to learn...

[MCD]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Are those Piping Plovers for sure? My understanding from the Chicago Tribune is that there are only 74 banded. Monty and Rose nested at Montrose Harbor for two seasons much to everyone's delightful. This year Rose did not return and Monty just died last week.

I digress. PP, you're wise to know the size limitations of your property. it's a hard thing to learn...

Given the numbers you're right they are probably some other similar plover (palmated plover). But (in my defence) they are known to nest on that particular beach, not sure about numbers for recent years.