This week's subject for Nature Notes presented itself rather rudely and unexpectedly. We had a couple of windy - but, not THAT windy - days. And, a huge limb on my dad's Bradford Pear tree just broke away.
It does not look that huge from this angle. But, it was very bushy at the top and it came all the way to the fence and engulfed it! The aforementioned bushiness is part of the reason that we think it broke. The leaves and limbs are so dense that the wind cannot pass through very well and so the limbs catch the wind, so to speak, and get blown down. The Bradford Pear has beautiful blossoms in the spring, but is known for dropping limbs.
Well, there was nothing to do, but clean it up. This is my dad! He is in his 70's, but really active, with a full-time job and giant yard!
We found evidence of woodpeckers on the fallen limb!! Look at the holes all in a row!
Lovely captures. Sad about the tree. I love how the blue pops out on the tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yea, he set his coffee cup down there and I thought it was kind of funny!
DeleteGood for your Dad! He looks like he is healthy, active, and happy. :) Great shots of the tree, too.
ReplyDeleteYea, my dad is the BEST!
DeleteThat's great that your Dad is still so active. I'm sorry about the limb. I have wood pecker holes on a lot of my trees but they don't seem to damage them.
ReplyDeleteYea, the woodpecker holes are pretty shallow...interesting how they all line up though.
DeleteOh no..poor tree..I wasn't familiar with this tree and I am sorry that it lost so much. I do see the woodpecker holes and there must have been something tasty in there that they were going after. I wonder if it was the larva or insect that might have weakened that branch...Michelle
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the tree...a lovely series of shots. How wonderful to be active at your Dad's age!
ReplyDeleteoh dear!
ReplyDeletei do hope
you saved a piece of it
and
did some sort of art project
with it...
a thin slice of the biggest part,
a small bit of a thin broken branch,
or
some leaves pressed between book pages...
some bit to Honor
Such a pretty tree, it is sad to see large limb break off. Your Dad must keep young by doing so much work, does he like to keep himself busy? Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy woodpecker patterns when I find them. Beautiful photos Libby.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed how a woodpecker could do make a hole like that. There beak must be very strong.
ReplyDeleteKim,USA
Looks like your dad has a beautiful yard. Sorry about the tree.
ReplyDeleteOh too bad about the tree...Bradford pears can be tricky...I love woodpeckers but cringe if I see them on a tree...
ReplyDelete