Old Bois D'Arc Tree in Dallas Park Update for TreeTuesday
This is a tree I promised I would check back on to see if it leafed out.
It appeared to be dead back in February.
Well, I finally made it back to check on it about a week ago and the good news is it has leaves and is indeed still alive!
From my research today, which is at the end of this post, I found out that this Bois D'Arc tree is probably around 150 years old!
Here is my first post from Feb 27, 2018 about this old tree.
Notice that several years ago someone installed supports for this tree.
I talked to a man, who rode up his bicycle with his son, about this tree while I was taking photos. His 9 year old son jumped off his bike and excitedly started climbing on this wonderful old tree. The dad told me that he thought there was a plaque somewhere in this park about the history of this tree.
I didn't find the plaque, but after some research on the internet, I now know the history and name of the park where this Bois D Arc tree is located!
Tietze Park, a 9-acre gem in East Dallas (located on Skillman Avenue between Llano and Vanderbilt Streets), was acquired in 1924 by the City of Dallas, when it was on the northeast fringe of town. First known as Keith Park, it was renamed Tietze Park ten years later, after W.R. Tietze, who was Superintendent of Parks for the city from 1896-1933. Mr. Tietze was a floriculturalist, who studied under Henry Shaw in St. Louis, philanthropist and founder of the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Source
A sandstone picnic pavilion was added in 1934. The park also features a community swimming pool, lighted baseball field, tennis court, basketball court, a second ball field also suitable for soccer, picnic area, children's playground, recycling drop-off igloos (funds collected benefit the park and neighborhood), a plaza with benches and tables, and more than 75 mature and outstanding oak and live oak trees, cedars, and a few “kneeling” bois d’arc trees, which are said to predate the park by 50 years or more. Source
Here is my first post from Feb 27, 2018 about this old tree.
So now, my day is much better since I have discovered the name and history of this tree!
Have a Blessed Day!
All original photos taken by me on my iPhone 8 Plus
July 10, 2018
howdy there @violetmed! this is one scraggly tree! we have these on our property, their fruit makes good targets. Something else about this tree is that the wood was used (and is still used) by the Caddo Indian Nation to make bows and arrows because the wood is the strongest but also most flexible for that use.
also in Commerce they have an annual Bois De Arc festival.
great tree, photos and post!
In the days while I had my teacher training programme, my tutor shared with us a book called the giving tree where the tree was always happy in giving. God has definitely created wonderful nature that really pleasant to our eyes. Nature does give great peace and a good time for personal reflection!
I read your post, @violetmed, and I think it would be interesting to do a campaign or contest in steemit to rescue the trees or plant them in our area. It would be a beautiful project and a contribution from us to the nature that has given us so much.
It's a good story, @violemet. I believe that like trees, human beings should try to leave traces and be missed when we leave. They are the trees so wise that they take root to leave eternal life. Like us with our children. Greetings
Governments and people should find ways to protect nature, especially the trees that are the lungs of the world. This guy is very big and beautiful. It would be unfortunate if they were to disappear out of inefficiency. Thank you for sharing!
This is amazing. Definitely, nature is the magic of God. Thanks for sharing such an interesting post. What a noble tree.
Never heard of this tree. Looked it up, its an Osage Orange, maclura pemifera ...Bois D'arc, French for bow-wood. Learn more.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maclura_pomifera
Maclura pomifera
Maclura pomifera, commonly known as the Osage orange, is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, typically growing to 8 to 15 metres (30–50 ft) tall. The distinctive fruit, from a multiple fruit family, is roughly spherical, bumpy, 8 to 15 centimetres (3–6 in) in diameter, and turns bright yellow-green in the fall. The fruits secrete a sticky white latex when cut or damaged. Despite the name "Osage orange", it is only distantly related to the orange, but rather is a member of the mulberry family, Moraceae.
It's interesting to learn something new about the history of interesting places. And all because of the few photos we want to make. It's wonderful, it pushes us forward!
I love that someone took the time to save this tree, it is beautiful and unique.
This is amazing! Nature works wonders! But in the other hand I think this tree is too tire! Maybe it is taking a little nap! ☺️