Two Trees; One Ring

A series.

Sounds like a good title for a forestry romance, doesn't it?  Instead, I'm indulging myself in a project I've wanted to do for a couple of years now.  I have wanted to chronicle the life of a tree with a weekly photo.  It may be a bit like watching paint dry but I'm sure there will be some moments of drama during the year.  I have selected two trees with very different habits for comparison - and because I couldn't choose.

Both trees were foundlings in the garden having been planted by birds or squirrels.  This maple is ten to twelve years old and stands about 12 feet high.  This is the view I have while I read or knit.  I love this tree and like to watch the birds seeking out insects and the squirrels looking for the seeds. It is an ornamental maple not the kind that has huge leaves. 

This is a macro of one of the younger branches taken today.

The second tree is a copper beech.  It is not bald at this time of year and that makes it different already.  It leads a rather sheltered life and I think the winds haven't been able to scour the leaves off.   It is about ten years old and we know its parent who lives next door.  So, we have an idea of its genetic background.  Mom/Dad is about 70 feet tall  - and leafless now - and baby isn't four feet tall yet. 

This is a macro of one of its younger branches.  I will photograph the same branch each week.

So, one ring is one year in the life of a tree.  Rings are fatter or thinner depending on the water and nutrients available to the during that year.  Right now it is raining...so far so good for a fat year.