I am still behind on research and writing, but I thought I’d take a minute to show you the goosefoot maple that grows in Eden Shores. It is a shrubby sort of tree, distinguished by its goosefoot shaped leaves and the vertically striped bark of the saplings. I think the blossoms are quite pretty, even though I suspect I’m allergic to the pollen.
This is what can happen to little dogs who are walking each other while I take pictures of goosefoot maples.
Linking their leashes seemed like a good idea. Slowed them down anyway, as they were never able to agree on an escape route—until yesterday morning. They took off in tandem and disappeared over a hill. Miss Sadie reappeared in short order, by herself, looking smug. She had slipped her collar. We backtracked and saw the Cowboy, haring off for home dragging the leashes behind him. Miss Sadie’s collar is still missing, and I am rethinking the linked leashes arrangement.
This has been a long, cold spring, but the trilliums have decided it’s about over now. They’re fading to pink. Kathy Windiate has her new boat in the water over on the east side of Torch Lake. Can summer be far behind? I think not.
Torch Lake Views 
Susan Och
June 5, 2009
The trillium and the lilacs seemed to last forever.
Gerry
June 5, 2009
And wasn’t THAT a good thing! Nice to see you over here, Susan.
p.j. grath
June 5, 2009
My friend Kathie taught me that as the striped maple, and Ed Arnfield says in his book that it’s sometimes called (here in Michigan!) the Michigan State University tree, because the bark is green and white.
Gerry, don’t miss today’s French Road Connections post! Those of us who don’t do TV would have missed this story otherwise.
Gerry
June 5, 2009
I knew about the striped maple name but not about the MSU reference, by which we see how closely I’ve read the Arnfields’ book. So it’s back on the bedside table for another look.
Thank you for reminding me to wander out French Road. Susan’s stories about Stefani are pretty special.
centria
June 6, 2009
Goosefoot! Never really saw them before. Not even sure if we have them… How cool. Your poor doggies. I guess humans aren’t the only ones that get “all tied up”…
Gerry
June 6, 2009
Oh dear. Next thing you know the Cowboy will be wanting a Blackberry.
flandrumhill
June 7, 2009
What a pretty tree. I looked it up and it’s supposed to grow in Nova Scotia, though I’ve yet to notice it. I’ll have to go on a Goosefoot hunt. Another name for it is Moose Maple.
I haven’t noticed any trilliums around here either lately. Too bad since they’re my husband’s favorites. We grew up seeing so many of them in the woods in Ontario. I used to pick big bouquets of them for my teachers. It’s illegal to pick them in some places now. The plants have a hard time recovering from having their flower removed.
Gerry
June 7, 2009
I like “Moose Maple” very much, and if I lived over in the Pigeon River country where there are moose that’s probably what I’d call it. We have lots of trilliums here. They’re protected in Michigan, and they seem to be doing well. Come see them any spring! It occurs to me that they might grow well there, and there are places where you can order them for gardens. Maybe you can surprise that trillium-loving hubby.
flandrumhill
June 8, 2009
One of my friends locally used to see them in the woods behind her home (before the subdivision was extended) so they may very well thrive here too. I hadn’t thought of planting them from seed. What a great idea. Thanks.