My Birchbark Love Affair

I love everything about birch trees -- the green leaves on white bark; the way the leaves sound when they blow in the wind; the bright yellow color of the leaves in the fall; the versatile use of the birchbark; the texture and feel of the birch peeling off the trees; the elegance and leanness of the tree; and really anything else you can dream up about birch trees.

There are so few birch trees in the Twin Cities and surrounding area that I usually go on an obsessive photo spree every time I am up North visiting my parents. There is a long stretch of birch tree plantations close to my parents' home that I gawk and photo all seasons of the year.

The photo above is of the three birch trees that I treasure most - in my backyard. They are my golden trees; trees that I never thought I would be fortunate enough to have! They are growing and thriving directly on our property line and someday could risk losing their lives if the land behind ours is developed. I hope that day never comes (for the trees' sake and for my selfish needs).

In the meantime, I will continue photographing my trees. All year round.