Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Sassy!

A venerable sassafras (Sassafras albidum) in Green-Wood. May be the state record holder for tallest: 69′ in 2016. 138″ in diameter at 4.5′ height.
More interestingly, at least to me, is the question of age. Does this pre-date the establishment of the cemetery in 1838? If not it must come close.
Sprouting adjacent. Sassafras is a clonal organism.
You would be correct in your supposition that this magnificent bark is habitat. Just think of all the life forms that have lived upon and beneath it!
I was lucky enough to see this in my orbit of the tree. A piece of bark over a foot long had fallen off and on the inside was this Eumenes wasp mud pot nest.

Stay tuned for more sassafras tomorrow. Yes, more!

mthew

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4 responses to “Sassy!”

  1. Paul Lamb

    I understand that bats commonly sleep in the bark of shagbark hickories, so my not mature sassafras?

    What is that coin you show?

    Reply
    1. mthew

      It’s a Teddy Roosevelt $1. Didn’t even know it existed before I saw one. Just a hair over an inch in diameter, it’s handy to keep for scale. Not sure anyone would accept it for legal tender…

      Reply
  2. Paul Lamb

    I’ve seen some of those mud pot nests at my Ozark cabin. There is speculation that seeing those was how early humans first understood the idea of making pots of their own.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      It sure sounds plausible. Paper, too, perhaps inspired by by paper wasps observed chewing wood?

      Reply

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