The Last Arboreal Post in this Wonderful Series

This is the last in the series of Julie Prichard from Land of  Lost Luggage  and  JeriAnn's from Commuter's Journal Arboreal collaboration, a photo essay of the life of a tree over the course of several seasons.  My first post can be seen here and the second post of my special Grandma Willow tree can be seen here.  With so many trees to pick from, I decided to select my very favorite one  across the street from where I live. It's not a flowering tree or perfectly formed.  It's very old, weathered and leans to one side. But, she is the most beautiful  tree to me and here is her runway shot in all her glory!

Julie was interested to see both the changes to our selected tree and the environment in which the tree lives.

I just had to sneak in shots from October so you can see Grandma in her autumn colors.

 They really match her spirit!

And here is a branch that extends over the adjacent street, larger than most tree trunks.

And here she is in all her beauty dressed up in her winter white!

And then one night, I exited my local bus to see this.

From all of the ferocious storms that hit this winter, the town decided to cut down the huge branch that swong out over the road.  

   Grandma's branch is larger than most tree trunks!

And here is Grandma now-looking so peaceful and quiet in her early morning- before the sun spreads her glimmer. She's fresh from her shower, the hairdresser-  and now all pruned and ready for spring to flourish and grow stronger than ever before! Like people, taking off destructive layers of our past and thoughts/items/unwelcoming souls that weigh us down are better off removed- no matter how difficult it may seem at the time.  It creates an  opening for new energies and gifts of life to greet us! And from this, we can  be open to  new creativity and excitement from which we can soar!

Looking forward to a fresh new season

 in  the sweet  life of Grandma Willow.
***
You can view all of the participants 
 and their posts on the left sidebar of Julie's blog here. Enjoy!

Post # 2 of A Tree for All Seasons: Arboreal Unreal

Julie Prichard over at Land of Lost Luggage and JeriAnn have been hosting a great collaborative project on the life of a tree over the course of the seasons, titled Arboreal which you can learn more about here. We select a tree and photograph it three times- over the course of several seasons. Julie is interested to see both the changes to the selected trees and the environment that the trees live in. The first photographs of the tree I selected ( seen below) were taken during the week of August 23, 2009. It's one of my favorite trees in my neighborhood that I call Grandma Willow.

And, below are pictures of Grandma Willow now. It's the autumn of her birthday cycle and she loves this time of year. She glistens in the sun with her bright yellow leaves showing off her sunny disposition. Grandma Willow has so many stories to share but sits quietly, in all her spender, just waiting for you to ask- then look and listen to what she has to say!

She shines above all the other trees, making sure that she takes command of the neighborhood, watching out for and blessing all that pass her by.

Even as the other trees lose their leaves, Grandma Willow holds her own - in all her glory waiting for the silence of winter to materialize.

And now, we will wait for one last season to visit, watch, and observe our special trees!

A Tree for All Seasons- A Surreal Arboreal Experience: An Insider's Glimpse of A Matriarch Tree's Life

Julie Prichard over at Land of Lost Luggage and JeriAnn are hosting a wonderful collaborative project on the life of a tree over the course of the seasons, titled Arboreal which you can learn more about here. We select a tree and photograph it three times- over the course of several seasons. Julie is interested to see both the changes to the selected trees and the environment that the trees live in. The approximate photographing dates are:

Week of August 23, 2009

Week of November 8, 2009 Week of April 4, 2010

With so many trees to pick from, I decided on one of my very favorites which is across the street from where I live. It's not a flowering tree or perfectly formed, it's not standing upright and true to form. But rather, it's very old, weathered and bent all the way over. Here's her run way shot.

And moving a little closer to her.

Her branches are so far outstretched that when I look at the picture, it almost seem as if it is the trunk and needs to be rotated upright.

The tree has the most wonderful layered, textured, multi toned bark, has injury sites, worn out limbs, and has seen the neighborhood change over what must be the most amazing lifespan.

Since the first time I saw this tree, I've called her "Grandma Willow". Although she's not a willow tree, my first glance of her reminded me of the tree in the story of Pocahontas- wise, all knowing, and one to be revered and honored throughout its life.

Even when you look up to her, you never quite see her crown!

It's roots must be far underground since they are nowhere to be seen. It's as if she just magically sprout up from the earth.

This tree bends over backwards to hold her own, and makes no joke that she is the matriarch of the neighborhood. This beautiful tree is not moving for anyone or anything. Although the one way and yield sign are standing strong, this tree is not obliging or moving aside. As a result, you might be able to see that the sign has actually now found it's way into the tree's branch.

Cobwebs have settled into her crevices- finding comfort, security and shelter within her.

She has joints where ever you look.

When the autumn comes and she must shed her clothes, I'll show you the strength and backbone that she truly carries! Right now, she dons a beautiful rich green ivy which encircles her body-reaching up across her spine.

She bears her own beautiful leaves- large strong and shining for all to see. They carry a single point, almost to make a point.

Here, Grandma Willow has put on her party clothes, ready for her last hurrah of the season. She promises to be back in the Fall!