It's usually when I forget to take my camera with me that I see things I want to photograph. Luckily yesterday I remembered it, then came across these. They're Orange Peel Fungus; a beautiful vibrant orange mushroom, that also happens to be edible (not by me).
It was a crisp, sunny, afternoon; perfect sniffing weather for the boys. They were in doggy heaven.
As usual the woods were magical. Ivy carpeting the ground, not another soul around, and the boys running and chasing to their heart's content. I also saw 'swarms' of Palombes, and a few very-high-flying Cranes, all heading south to escape our forthcoming winter.
And then I came across this beast. It stood about 12 ft high, had huge leaves, and stood out like a sore thumb. Many years ago I planted a tree, at our first house here, with similar leaves. The tree produced masses of long bean shaped seed pods; I wonder if this could be a bird sown seed from that tree? (You may need to enlarge the picture)
Does anyone know what it is?
I am sure someone will name it for you. Lovely woods. Although the bush here is great I still miss the European woods.
ReplyDeleteThe woods look lovely in the sunshine - it looks like a sycamore sapling to me.
ReplyDeleteI think I've now found it (thanks to Wiki). The tree I planted was called CATALPA, and I think the one above must be a baby one.
ReplyDeleteIt is a Catalpa i.e Indian Bean Tree. I have one that has the most wonderful limey yellow leaves which are luminescent. It has yet to have any blossom.
ReplyDeleteSo, presumably if I went back and pulled up one of the much smaller ones that were about, it would grow into a magnificent tree (all for free). The one I planted, about forty years ago, is also bright lemon yellow at the moment... I can just see it from our present house.
DeleteYour woodland walk looks idyllic, reminds me a bit of Stanmer woods, I'm sure you must know them. Of course the great storm decimated lots of the trees but you'll be pleased to know that it is all coming back as is the way with nature.
ReplyDeleteBriony
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We lived just by St Nicholas Church when the great storm struck... the churchyard was a mess.
Deletea beautiful day, indeed. In coastal central California we have many Catalpa trees, and streets named after them.
ReplyDeleteSo, the mushrooms: why don't you eat them? I know you eat other wilds, so are these just not to your liking?
I think if they were really good to eat, people would treasure them. They don't!
DeleteBeing a bit of a dummy as far as trees are concerned, I recently bought a reference book on them. So I went to look yours up in it, and would you believe, it opened at the very page about Catalpa Bignonioides. Now that’s a clever book, don't you think !
ReplyDeleteMy search was almost as good. In Google I asked for tree, big leaves, long beans. And it came up trumps, first go.
DeleteLove your photos of the woods. I dream that maybe ours may look like this one day, but I will need to do an awful lot of clearing to make it so.
ReplyDeleteLong beans on a tree....possibly Catalpa???? We have them here.
ReplyDeleteYou have some lovely woods to wonder in. I was not familiar with the tree. Isn't it funny how orange things pop up in October? I saw a wee bug the other day that was black and orange. How appropriate! Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteCatalpa trees are magic. Thier beans in their pods make special music only faeries can hear. Or so I tell the GK's to make the wood walks more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful afternoon chez vous. We're under grey skies here, but thankfully the rain has more or less stopped, and cleanup is underway.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful walking path you have there, Cro! I am envious. I love our neighborhood, but walking around it with Ginger gets boooorrring after doing it every day for a year. Your boys are lucky, too!
ReplyDeleteThe house I live in has a catalpa tree growing over on the corner of our back yard. They are great looking trees this time of year, with their long bean pods and bright colored giant leaves.
I DEFINITELY think you should dig that one up and plant it near your house! :)
Actually, just read the tree in the photo is 12 feet high...you should dig up one of the smaller ones though!
ReplyDeleteI've already been back for one of the smaller ones, Jennifer. It's now in a large pot waiting for next Spring. I might even go back and get another one.
DeleteThat is a really good idea - mine cost me about £40!!!
DeleteI am agreeing with the others, its a Catalpa tree. We have several here in my community, they are very old and huge. Some of the beans on them are over 2 feet long.
ReplyDeleteYour walk looks so very magical and soothing.
Have a wonderful week, Mr. M and the kids
I love to see dogs running in the woods! They love it so.
ReplyDeleteThe orangey fungi are very cool,
Looks like a catalpa to me!