Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Favorite tree?
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inspector13 |
quote ozarkpaddler: "Watch out in the fall, especially on windy days! I've been knocked silly several times and our vehicles have "Battle scars" from walnut hits!" Fortunately for the tree, it was located in back of the old garage. It was a pain to pick up the area before bring out the lawn mower though. |
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MN_Lindsey |
It is a tree that appears as an ordinary evergreen, but in the fall, when it displays a dazzling yellow hue... its enough to take your breath away, and leave you with contentment and a smile. <--- its almost as if the little trees next to our names are Tamaracks! ;-) |
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missmolly |
Mine is the paperbark maple. It's got a peeling cinnamon and salmon colored bark that gives year-round color and has great fall color too. I also like the dainty, lingering seeds. If you have space in your yard for a small tree, it's a cutie. |
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schweady |
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Whatsit |
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scat |
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LindenTree3 |
Take a branch of the White Pine and look at its needles. Each needle comes in a clump of five needles. Fasicle. But there is nothing wrong with the Linden Tree, " Tilia Americans" However, I have never hugged a Linden Tree. Since I am named after the Linden, I simply hug myself ;-) Woodsman spare that tree, touch not a single bow. In youth it sheltered me, and I'll protect it now. George Pope Morris. White Pine |
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Basspro69 |
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LindenTree3 |
By Joyce Kilmer I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. |
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GraniteCliffs |
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Alan Gage |
Alan |
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Zulu |
Sucker Lake My favorite tree is the Red Pine (pinus resinosa). I like its rugged shape and the way it grows in clusters within the canoe country. I also like the way its fallen needles smell on a warm day. I like the color of the fallen needles too. I like the sound the wind makes as it blows through the tree. Its a coarser sound than that of a white pine. It seems like a tree that prefers to grow in difficult and drier places. I like to watch the sunlight shine on its bark early and late in the day giving it a rose colored glow. |
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LindenTree3 |
quote schweady: "White cedar. Often attached to a shoreline rock in impossible fashion, it appears in many of my BWCAW photos. Its wood also makes for the best cooking fire. Schweady, Thought you might like this. Cedar, Sage, Sweetgrass and Tobacco. The four spiritual substances used by natives represent the four directions and seasons. I grew up on the White Earth Nation just north of you and have one of the few Cedar trees in the area on my property. I regularly find this Cedar tree pruned on the lower branches, I am glad the natives use this tree for spiritual healing. As I do also. I have Cedar boughs hanging in my place now. Quote, " Cedar is one of the most important Native American ceremonial plants, used by many tribes as an incense and purifying herb. Cedar is especially associated with prayer, healing, dreams, and protection against disease. Many tribes consider the cedar tree a symbol of generosity and providence, and had special rituals regarding the felling of cedar trees. Cedar is commonly used as part of sweat lodge ceremonies, and is also one of the herbs frequently included in medicine bundles and amulets. Cedar leaves and bark are used as medicine plants in many tribes as well." |
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h20 |
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missmolly |
Southern Live Oak |
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missmolly |
Orange Dream Japanese Maple Fireglow Japanese Maple The fireglow gives you fall color all summer long. |
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missmolly |
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arctic |
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Dances with Sheep |
was that too corny? |
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LindenTree3 |
quote Alan Gage: "I'm a prairie boy so for me it's a Bur Oak growing in the open with a stout trunk and full crown. Yes Allan, Bur Oaks are a beautiful and dwindling trees as far as habitat is concerned. They are fire dependent and fire resistant. My last job before transferring to AK was in North Western MN as the prescribed fire specialist for 5 National Wildlife Refuge's. We prescribed burned our Oak Savanna's to keep the invading species at bay to promote the Bur Oak. The theory goes that before European man came to the plains, the Buffalo kept invading species in check. (Aspen, Willow and others) Due to grazing. (Im saying this in a nutshell because there are many other factors) We had to lightly do a low intensity understory burn under the Bur Oaks, so we would not damage the tree boles/trunks while setting back the Aspen trees. It was a very surgical prescribed fire, since many of the But Oak groves had been stressed previously due to human manipulation. I agree the Bur Oak is a stately tree. Bur Oak and Fire |
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carmike |
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Pinetree |
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dicecupmaker |
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Elydog |
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mjmkjun |
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missmolly |
I have quite a few white pines close to my house. I thought mine were fine specimens, but I recently discovered a stand that's been standing much, much longer, white pines so tall you have to bend back uncomfortably far to see their tops. Now my white pines seem merely fair to middlin'. If only I could live long enough to see my trees so tall! |
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Grizzlyman |
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ozarkpaddler |
quote Zulu: " I too love the big old red pines. There was a campsite on the north shore of Seagull that was a favorite due to the huge, old pines. And when we moved to Wausau, WI in the early '90's, it seemed every schoolyard and park was sheltered with them? Love those old red pines up north! Down here, my favorite is the Catalpa. The soft, twisted wood isn't good for much. But the flowers around Memorial day through the first few weeks of June are the prettiest and most fragrant of any tree out there. The large, heart shaped leaves make nice shade in the summer. And they are pretty hardy. Even when Catawba or "Catalpa worms" invade them, they rarely die. I have dozens of them around the front of the farm and love them. |
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Minnesotian |
This is a tough question for me, because I associate so many great places with particular trees. -Fall backpacking on the Superior Hiking Trail under a large stand of Sugar Maple, with the full sunlight coming through the lime green colors of the changing leaves. -Again the Superior Hiking Trail when walking though a tunnel of Black Spruce, the stand so thick and dark. -Camping under a stand of Aspen, and having their leaves constantly clapping together, a gently rustling chorus. -Pulling up to a site and setting up the tent under a large stand of Red Pine, with football fields of open space to stretch out the legs, and a soft blanket of needles for the shelter. The contrast of a stand of Paper Birch trees in the thick of winter, the horizontal black lines blending together to cause tricks on your eyes, movement where there is none. But my favorite has to be a White Pine, especially at a campsite where all of the tree roots are exposed and the maze can be seen. In the light of my headlamp, the pine cone's sap bounce back like glittering diamonds of dew. It is the wind, though, through the needles that brings me the most enjoyment; it can be soothing and melodious, or violent and searing, but the wind through the needles resonate with me the same way a mournful loon call in the dusk of the evening causes goosebumps. |
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tobywan |
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rtallent |
GopherAdventure: "I've got to go with the Tamarack or Larix Laricina I believe is it's scientific name. Minnesota's only deciduous conifer. The first time I saw a cluster of them, it was in the fall and I thought, "what killed all of those evergreens over there." Then someone said, those are tamaracks, they turn yellow and shed their needles. Since then it's been my fave. I want to plant some at my cabin this season. Those are also some of the farthest north conifers (along with black spruce) in the eastern Canadian territories. You will do best with them if you plant into fairly moist soils, even boggy. |
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missmolly |
Behold the banyan! |
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woodsandwater |
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missmolly |
woodsandwater: "American Chestnut. This tree was a vital food source for wildlife and people. Virtually wiped out by the invasive Chestnut blight. There are pure strain blight resistant trees and efforts are underway to develop a strain of blight resistant trees. It would be wonderful to restore this magnificent tree to America's landscape again." I've got three in my yard. I'd plant more if I had room. |
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missmolly |
Yep, larches love wet feet. I've got one right in front of my house. It's the last plant to turn. |
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Pinetree |
schweady: "White cedar. Often attached to a shoreline rock in impossible fashion, it appears in many of my BWCAW photos. Its wood also makes for the best cooking fire. Cedar is right up there. They also are usually found in a wild area,making you feel like your in a real neat place. I believe they might be the oldest trees in the BWCA-some like 500 years old. Hard to beat those 250-300 year old White Pine also. |
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carmike |
Well, maybe not. But it'd be better than suffocating in the saggy, lumpy arms of a Christmas tree. |
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missmolly |
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Canoearoo |
My 2nd favorite is the white cedar (red cedar causes apple rust in apple trees and we own an orchard). The white cedar reminds me of the bwca 3rd favorite is the white paper birch. I love their colors and for bush crafting they have so many things you can do with them.. and the bark starts a good fire |
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boonie |
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Chilly |
My fav is the King of them all, the white pine. |
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AmarilloJim |
Visited it 20 years ago with my wife and father-in-law. A cone fell and almost hit us. It was smashed flat on one side from the impact. I would show that cone to my kids periodically and talk about the tree. We all visited General Sherman last year together as a family. Still there. Still amazing! |
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rtallent |
(ps, I think burr oak may qualify as the farthest north oak, also, getting to pretty high latitudes in the prairie provinces) |
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goatroti |
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MHS67 |
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LindenTree3 |
Banksiana Pinus Strobus Must be a few others with trees as usernames. |
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missmolly |
quote goatroti: "I love the catalpa and horse chestnuts for their blooms, but nothing beats the scent of a row of lindens in full bloom. I also love their scent. Do you think LindenTree3 smells as sweet after fighting a fire for three days? |
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ozarkpaddler |
quote goatroti: "I love the catalpa and horse chestnuts for their blooms, but nothing beats the scent of a row of lindens in full bloom. You know, I don't believe I've ever seen a Linden tree? And I definitely haven't had the opportunity to see one in bloom. |
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Frenchy |
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goatroti |
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yellowcanoe |
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LindenTree3 |
quote yellowcanoe: "Jackpine. Needs fire to pass its genes on.." Seratonous cones, trees adaptions to fire. Fire is the mechanism by which the forest is continually regenerated," states Hall. Fires consume dead, decaying vegetation accumulating on the forest floor, thereby clearing the way for new growth. Some species, such as the jack pine, even rely on fire to spread their seeds. The jack pine produces "seratonous" (resin-filled) cones that are very durable. The cones remain dormant until a fire occurs and melts the resin. Then the cones pop open and the seeds fall or blow out. |
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LindenTree3 |
I will share a bit of inside information that I have NEVER shared with anyone before because I always thought it was a little corny. My wife loves the way I smell, maybe not after 3 days of firefighting, but definitely after 2-3 days without a shower. She always borrows her nose in my neck and inhales deeply. When I leave for an assignment or Alaska I often wear a shirt for a couple days and not shower, she sleeps with the shirt. I don't remember any other girls telling me this, so it must be specific to my wife. |
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rtallent |
quote ozarkpaddler: "quote goatroti: "I love the catalpa and horse chestnuts for their blooms, but nothing beats the scent of a row of lindens in full bloom. I bet you have seen them, Oz, only they are called basswood (or even bastwood) trees in much of the U.S. Often growing in fairly rich woodland soils with sugar maple, etc. They map to Missouri as well as much of eastern N.A. |
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Hub |
Aspen when I am grouse hunting White oak when I am deer hunting Sugar Maples during the Fall and Spring (best looking and best tasting) Giant Cottonwoods over a river (can you say rope swing) |
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missmolly |
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missmolly |
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ozarkpaddler |
quote rtallent: "quote ozarkpaddler: "quote goatroti: "I love the catalpa and horse chestnuts for their blooms, but nothing beats the scent of a row of lindens in full bloom. I'm VERY ashamed that I didn't remember Basswood and Linden were the same. You see, I had 2 years horticulture in HS and have a certificate on the wall showing that at one time I was #1 in the State in FFA for it. As I tell my students in my Cardiac Arrhythmia class, though, "If you don't USE it, you LOSE it." |
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ZaraSp00k |
A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America (1950) Donald Culross Peattie |
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LindenTree3 |
quote ZaraSp00k: "I'm posting a book here and in the Book forum you tree huggerz might like to take a look at You tree huggerz? To me you sound like one, am I confused? I don't think one has to physically hug a tree to appreciate them, and therefore those could be considered a tree hugger. FWIW, I physically hug trees and probably have kissed a few. I talk to them also, thanking them for their beauity, and air purification. |
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ZaraSp00k |
sugar maple, the blazing orange in fall norway maple, ( I have 3) the vibrant yellow in fall, plus the leaves stay on much longer than red maple, it is not native to NA burr oak stand so sturdy and with knarled arms against the wind white pine, queen of the northern forest white cedar, I can usually find one perfect for a lean to while hiking or portaging |
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WhiteWolf |
Red Elm--- a woodburners delights. A grain straighter then an arrow easy to produce quality firewood. White Ash-- the smell of tools and fire going through brings back so many memories.. but for Up north- it would be White Cedar-- something magical about a grove of them. |
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rtallent |
quote ozarkpaddler: "quote rtallent: "quote ozarkpaddler: "quote goatroti: "I love the catalpa and horse chestnuts for their blooms, but nothing beats the scent of a row of lindens in full bloom. No reason to be ashamed. Us pinheads use the scientific names because common names will vary from place to place... Just like you medics have clear jargon. |
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Pinetree |
quote WhiteWolf: "Not really 'up north' trees,, but I love the White Oak,, both for home heating and wood working. It's also the only wood that stands up to the ice/snow-- used on the runners for heavy sleeper fish houses. A big branch I cut off one down here in IA-- the trunk was so large,, 2 adults couldn't wrap arms around it. White Oak is a good one and its big acorns supply great food for deer and many other species. |
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AdamXChicago |
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clearh2o |
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jwartman59 |
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Thwarted |
Overall tree... Any mature oak. Strength, majesty, endurance, beauty. |
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Bdubguy |
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nicek |
Larch Just perfect in its charm. |
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HowardSprague |
Coniferous: White Pine |
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FlambeauForest |
For any cheeseheads below is a good read with pictures that document some fine specimens that make up WI's history. A fantastic read and free download. Wisconsin's Historic Trees |
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LindenTree3 |
I have top killed tens of thousands of invasive hardwood trees applying prescribed fire on the native prairies in NW MN for the USFWS. I have probably planted about 1,000 trees. |
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mc2mens |
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shawhh |
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BWPaddler |
quote Dances with Sheep: "Family I liked it! And I love the idea of family trees, and the symbolism of roots and branches and leaves... you can graft trees and my family is made of adoption, so even more symbolism there. That aside, I love birches and maples. Love the birch bark and tall flexible stands of them against a blue sky. Love the brilliant maple colors in the fall. Always thought trees were mysterious - you can look at them and see a "solid" shape, or you can look at them as almost "gaseous" or something not solid, but still "there" and with a shape. They can be solidly rooted and bend with the wind. When my oldest was little, a developer bought three lots near us with existing homes and huge trees, then tore houses and trees down. My child cried for those lost trees! We all mourned them. Funny how even though I hate to see any tree die, I also love wood things. My home has cedar, pine, alder, red oak, white oak, cherry, and maple in it... and I have a basement full of wood pieces to do something with some day - when I learn how, lol. Cribbage boards maybe? The possibilities are endless. |
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inspector13 |
Black Walnut for its nuts and wood. Just don’t plan growing tomatoes and peppers anywhere nearby. We had one in the back yard of both of my childhood homes. When my parents replaced their garage at their current residence, the tree had to go. My dad had the wood milled and now I have a walnut short case clock, a large LP record cabinet (it must hold around 300 vinyl LPs), and a 35-gallon hexagonal fish tank stand. White Pine for NE Minnesota. I've planted hundreds. |
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ozarkpaddler |
quote inspector13: " Watch out in the fall, especially on windy days! I've been knocked silly several times and our vehicles have "Battle scars" from walnut hits! |
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ozarkpaddler |
quote inspector13: " Watch out in the fall, especially on windy days! I've been knocked silly several times and our vehicles have "Battle scars" from walnut hits! We have one out the front door and the back: |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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Dances with Sheep |
quote BWPaddler: "quote Dances with Sheep: "Family I have also been blessed through adoption (one sister 20 years ago and in 2015 a daughter) |
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GopherAdventure |
Tony |
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jillpine |
Minnesotian: " All of this (lovely, Minnesotian!); how could one pick a favorite? Scrappy, straggly Pinus banksiana, especially in its early spring green, in a burn area about 4 years on. Partial to Tilia americana as well. Its blossoms produce pollen for bees, who then produce flavorful honey that tastes good on the bread I bake. It is sad to their crowns being chewed apart by Japanese beetles, as with the birches. Trying to become a fan of the populous Juglans nigra on my little acre, but change is hard. |
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walllee |
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Savage Voyageur |
TuscaroraBorealis: " " Thanks for telling me about the tree. It’s an awesome old Cedar tree by Johnson Falls. My favorite tree has always been the cedar tree. I really like the twisted grain in the wood and bark. Cedar trees grow very slowly and accounts for the longest living trees in Minnesota. |
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missmolly |
jillpine: "Minnesotian: " Lindens smell so sweet. Great choice. I do hope you come to love your black walnuts. So many have been cut for furniture so love your survivors. |
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LindenTree |
missmolly: Thanks missmolly, maybe thats why the wifey chose me, she always loves my scent. Mostly :-) |