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.”

Spicebush

The Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) was blooming in The Bronx this past weekend.
A lovely understory plant, this.
Perhaps a gall created by the midge Neolasioptera linderae.
But what fresh hell is this? This pockmarky damage to the trunks is now seen all over the many Spicebushes in this part of the the northwest section of Van Cortlandt Park.
Slits in the bark seem to be an early manifestation.
They widen and deepen.

mthew

2 responses to “Spicebush”

  1. Sherry Felix

    Ah! so that is what I saw up at Ward Pund Ridge. Thanks Mathew.

    Reply
  2. Chuck McAlexander

    yes, but what caused it?

    Reply

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