buck(thorns), does and fawns

Yesterday, just before the rains came, we were on our way to check whether a tree behind the house was black cherry or buckthorn. Key determinant: black cherry fruit has one pit. Buckthorn has 3-4 seeds (common) or 2-3 seeds (glossy). Today we went to resolve the competing identifications. We are not happy with the results. See for yourself.

seeds of three, buckthorn it be

Photo by J. Harrington

And, a more careful examination of the glossy(?) buckthorn leaves, compared to the more pointed and thinner black cherry leaves below, makes it clear we were engaged in wishful thinking more than anything else.

long and lean black-cherry leaves for comparison

Photo by J. Harrington

whitetail doe feeding on pear tree

Photo by J. Harrington

Despite that setback, all is not gloom and doom around here. This morning a whitetail doe returned to feast on the pear tree and brought junior to check out the neighborhood. Few things are more fun than watching a fawn find its way about its world. (Puppies come to mind.) Meanwhile, we're thinking "if we had paid more attention a quarter century ago, the buckthorn tree would not..." Ah, well! This turns out to be just the opposite of "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now!" The best time to cut down a buckthorn tree is...soon!

whitetail fawn ignoring mom at pear tree

Photo by J. Harrington

Fawn

By Mary Barnard

Out of a high meadow where flowers

bloom above cloud, come down;

pursue me with reasons for smiling without malice.

Bring mimic pride like that of the seedling fir,

surprise in the perfect leg-stems

and queries unstirred by recognition or fear

pooled in the deep eyes.

Come down by regions where rocks

lift through the hot haze of pain;

down landscapes darkened, crossed

by the rift of death-shock; place print

of a neat hoof on trampled ground

where not one leaf or root

remains unbitten; but come down

always, accompany me to the morass

of the decaying mind. There

we’ll share one rotted stump between us.

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