CLIMBING TREES: THE OLD MULBERRY ON HEIGHTS BLVD

Children need a tree to climb; a tree they can call an old friend as time goes by.

This beautiful old Mulberry tree is an easy one to climb. Located on Heights Blvd in Houston, Texas, it is near the corner of Heights Blvd and 18th Street.

I don't know a single jogger who doesn't slow a bit when going through the 'Mulberry tunnel'. It's like entering a magical kingdom for a few seconds.

I can't think of another Mulberry tree in all of Houston.

Another reason why this one is so remarkable.

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I'll be back with another tree soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

David/:0)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TREE IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON

If you are visiting Houston and need a break from

the downtown pace,

stop by the heritage society and have a picnic under this tree.

Although it is not the largest live oak in our city, it is one of the most beautiful.

The tree is situated in a quiet park surrounded by historical buildings.

Most live oaks are 'trimmed up' so that the branches

have little chance of spreading. But this one bends to the ground

and is taking over the park....in a nice way.

Children would especially love this tree that reaches to the ground with an invitation to play.

If you go in March, you can also enjoy the azaleas.

But the main attraction is this tree.

The picnic area is delightful and free to the public.

When you find this marker, you know you're in the right place.

Here's the history behind the name:

The Heritage Society was Jane Ellen's great interest and she was an active member for 38 years. She served in many capacities including as Chairman, Executive Director, and Board Member. Under her leadership, the Heritage Society grew into the nationally recognized historic preservation organization it is today. Major accomplishments during that time include moving the Yates and Staiti Houses into Sam Houston Park, where, with the other historic buildings located there, they reflect the rich cultural diversity of our city.

Well that's it for this time. I'll post another remarkable tree soon.

David/:0)

Houston Heritage Society Link:

http://downtownhouston.org/guidedetail/heritage-society-historic-homes-tour/

THE BLUE TREES OF WAUGH DRIVE

Like a psychedelic magnet, the blue trees of Waugh Drive will pull you in.

Will you touch them?

Will you wander through the groves?

Will you ponder their meaning?

Or just accept them as art and have a picnic?

I happened to be driving by on the Saturday they were being painted.

I must say I was so surprised by the scene that I almost had a wreck!

If you're feeling a little 'blue', you might want to come on down and visit.

The art work is only temporary and will fade away in a few short months.

To find out more, just Google 

The Blue Trees by Konstantin Dimopoulos.

It's a short walk from the Whole Foods on Waugh Drive at Allen Parkway.

Be sure and tell me what you think.

It's a great place to take some senior photos!

Maybe we'll see you there.

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Thanks for stopping by!

David/:0)

THE MASSIVE OAK AT OLD BAYLOR PARK NEAR BRENHAM

Touching the Old Live Oak at Baylor Historical Park feels a lot like touching a giant dinosaur.

It just doesn't seem real.

This tree is one of the largest coastal live oaks in Texas. 

It's near this little cabin which makes for some fun photos. Old Baylor Historical Park is free and open to the public. It's a great place for a picnic.

If allowed, coastal live oaks (Quercus virginiana) will sprawl all over the area; its limbs reaching back down to touch the earth. This limbs of this one were easily a 100 feet across.

It's a friendly tree but watch out for the other side...it contains an active bee hive!

Live oaks can live to be a thousand years old. This one would have met the earliest Texas pioneers of Washington County.

As a big tree hunter, I love to measure trees like this one and record them for the Texas Forest Service. Sadly, I left all my measuring devices at home.

I'll just have to come back and visit this old giant on another day.

To visit the remarkable tree, drive north from Brenham to the little town of Independence, Texas. Turn west and go about 1/2 mile on FM 390 until you get to Old Baylor Park. The most famous landmark are four columns of the original building (see above #4). The tree is on a slope and a short walk from the columns.

The park and this tree are a five minute drive from the Antique Rose Emporium, so it would be a great place to have a picnic after you see the roses.

THE OLD LIVE OAK AT BAYLOR PARK ~ WASHINGTON COUNTY, TEXAS

I have many favorite trees, but when you add in the serenity of the park, the beautiful wildflowers, the nice hills, and the fun wooden cabin next to this tree, the whole experience makes it 

my favorite tree in Texas. Hope you get to see it soon while out there hunting for bluebonnets!

One closing remark....this is not the biggest live oak in Texas. We'll save that for another day. 

 That's it from the Big Tree Hunter....

David/:0)