Maple Zits

    Hey, everyone. This is a maple leaf. In the spring you see some tree's leaves get this odd coloration. I suppose it is merely a fungus or perhaps the reaction to some sort of insect chewing on the leaf. I've been meaning to go to Wikipedia and look it up. If the close-up was better, you could see there are 3 red balls on a white background. On the same tree was another leaf with a dozen similar spots. It appeared like a shotgun pattern. However, there was no 3 ball design on the leaf with the multiple design. Cool, huh?

    Finally, we have a tree called Yellow Poplar or Tulip Poplar, here in the southeast U.S. In the spring they have these big blooms with a pretty orange cup. The trees themselves grow to a height of 50 or 60 feet. Excuse the dirt on this one but it rained overnight and I just picked this sample off the ground. Poplars grow fast but are rather brittle and won't take the beating an oak or hickory will. An oak or a hickory takes many years to reach maturity but they are strong. Sort of like people. Some folks start well and make a good show but they don't have staying power or character. The first dry spell or hard times and they are ready to go elsewhere. You can always tell a poplar, white or yellow, by the leaf cut straight across the end. (Or almost straight, see top of photo). By the way, poplars grow very straight and the guys around here that run the saw mills use them a lot because they get long straight planks out of them. I used to work in a saw mill, by the way. It's rough, dangerous work but there are some good ole boys that work at these places.
   The title of the post was Maple Zits because of the blemishes to the leaves. No intent to hurt the feelings of anyone with acne; I've had my share of zits.
    On behalf of cosmetically challenged trees everywhere, I'm CE Wills.