Tree Notes: A Circle Bench Under aTree

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

A Circle Bench Under aTree

Shade at mid-day

A favorite midday gathering place of Civil War veterans.

Dept. of Veteran Affairs photo.

I am guessing that this photo was made between 1885 and 1900. Looking at the men, I think that they might have been in the War when they were in their 20's, 30's or 40's, and now they are in their 50's, 60's or 70's.

They seem a little self-conscious in the presence of the camera, but I can imagine that many lively conversations were carried on under the shade of this tree, as these gentlemen traded stories of their wartime experiences and exploits.

I've seen benches like this in quite a few old time photographs. I think they're very inviting. At any time of day, you could find a place to sit in the shade.

I wonder why these benches have fallen out of fashion? Are we so comfortable in our houses and on our decks that we don't venture out to sit under a tree anymore?

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Enrich your life with the study of trees.

Print references I frequently consult

Benvie, Sam. Encyclopedia of North American Trees. Buffalo, NY: Firefly, 2000.

Brockman, C. Frank. Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Ed. Herbert S. Zim. New York: Golden, 1986.

Cliburn, Jerry, and Ginny Clomps. A Key to Missouri Trees in Winter: An Identification Guide. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri, 1980.

Collingwood, G. H., Warren David Brush, and Devereux Butcher. Knowing Your Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1978.

Dirr, Michael. Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: an Illustrated Encyclopedia. Portland, Or.: Timber, 1997.

Elias, Thomas S. The Complete Trees of North America; Field Guide and Natural History. New York: Book Division, Times Mirror Magazines, 1980.

Grimm, William Carey. The Book of Trees;. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole, 1962.

Hightshoe, Gary L. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America: a Planting Design Manual for Environmental Designers. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.

Little, Elbert L. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. New York: Chanticleer, 1996.

Martin, Alexander C., Herbert S. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. American Wildlife and Plants. New York: McGraw Hill, 1951.

Mitchell, Alan F., and David More. The Trees of North America. New York, NY: Facts On File Publications, 1987.

Randall, Charles E. Enjoying Our Trees. Washington: American Forestry Association, 1969.

Settergren, Carl D., and R. E. McDermott. Trees of Missouri. Columbia: University Extension, 1995.

Sternberg, Guy, and James W. Wilson. Native Trees for North American Landscapes: from the Atlantic to the Rockies. Portland: Timber, 2004.

Wharton, Mary E., and Roger W. Barbour. Trees and Shrubs of Kentucky. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 1973.

Wyman, Donald. Trees for American Gardens. New York: Macmillan, 1965.

Tree Notes