Tree Names Tell a Story

[Tuebor]

Peattie (A Natural History of Trees) says this of the Locust:

 

[robinia]

"Locust" is a reference to the dried seed pods on the branches blowing in the wind - a sound that is similar to the wings of the insect locusts swarming.
Crazy, huh?

 

[opposablethumb]

Tuebor - you must have quite a library of tree books! Awesome.

Anyone have any ideas about "hornbeam"?

 

[robinia]

From wikipedia:
Origin of names[edit]
The common English name "hornbeam" derives from the hardness of the woods (likened to horn) and the Old English "beam", a tree (cognate with German "Baum").

 

[robinia]

a botanic/common name brain teaser, via instagram:

 

[opposablethumb]

I love all the "pseudo" trees.

They're a healthy reminder that, in spite of our incredible scientific advancements, we still know so little.

"Uh, it's not a fir, it's not a hemlock, it's not a sassafras...soooo...what do you think, Bill?"

"Pseudotsuga!"

"Works for me!"

 

[opposablethumb]

Keeping it alive...

Anybody know about "sourwood"? Oxydendron arboreum?