Tamarack needles are bright golden yellow under clouds that open momentarily for a sunbeam to shine through. Some needles have already fallen. Tamarack is our only deciduous conifer. It loses its needles each fall. They are soft and flexible, but the branch beneath is often rough and abrasive. Tamaracks like wet feet, they say, and are found in or near bogs, swamps and peatland.
Tamaracks are Minnesota’s only deciduous conifer. They drop their needles in the fall.
Fallen maple leaves compose a patchwork quilt of sunny yellows, plum, amber, rust and fawn. The maple nearby still holds most of its foliage.
A patchwork of maple leaves decorates the ground, while some leaves still cling to their branches.
The day is a brisk 27 degrees, with chilly winds gusting up to 25-mph. A few snowflakes alight and promptly melt until the next blast, when it stings my face. That’s probably why I only hear an occasional squawk of a blue jay and honking of geese flying overhead. Most creatures are likely hunkered down, out of the wind and snow.
Tall stalks of goldenrod are tipped with bunches of billowy beige seedheads.
Bright flower tops of common yarrow are blossoming in colorful bunches atop its stalks. Woodbine is another interesting plant with a remarkable seedhead. Reminiscent of clematis, the vine sprawls and, after fruiting, becomes a mass of softly hairy strands, helping to spread its seeds to new areas.
Goldenrod plants are tipped with fluffy seedheads while yarrow still blooms.
Beautiful growths of lichens festoon the tree trunks, branches, wooden benches and more. It surprises me, because I thought they needed moisture to grow, and it’s been so dry lately. Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Tanner Barnharst authored an identification guide to lichens with amazing photography this year, and has made the downloadable PDF file available for free.
Lichens decorate trees, benches and more across the Arboretum’s landscape.
A brilliant maple near the entrance to the Arb glows with yellow and orange leaves. Hues in other landscapes appear muddy in the waning daylight.
The Arboretum’s annual Winter Lights walking tour will begin on Nov. 20. But already as I leave, I catch glimpses of some of the lights already installed, surrounded by fall foliage. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Preparations are underway for Winter Lights, opening Nov. 20.
Mary Beth Pottratz is a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. Learn more about the University of Minnesota Extension’s Master Naturalist program