Incredible Planet: Deciduous Trees Rock

In the fall deciduous trees show more commitment than a sprinter diving forward to win a race. Then after such an incredible displays of potential, they give up on appearances and look bad until spring. In a way these trees sacrifice beauty for the pursuit of beauty. The beautiful irony is overwhelming.

Creative Commons picture by shioshvili.

These trees are committed to beauty. In the fall they expend great amounts of energy to produce a flash of beauty. With grace their magnificent color expands into the world around them making everything that much prettier. Deciduous trees are the makeover artists of the plant world, capable of turning an abandoned and rusting car into a jaw dropping work of art.

Awesome places to observe deciduous trees this coming fall:

1) The Ancient Aspen Grove at Fish Lake National Forest in Utah

Aspens are particularly amazing tree in the fall because whole groves change color at exactly the same time. Their roots are so interconnected that it is often argued that they are really one organism. The roots of this particular aspen grove is thought to be some 80,000 years old. They were sacrificing beauty for beauty even before the Trojan War.

2) From the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Southeast United States

An excellent way to marvel at a majestic seasonal transformation from the inside of your car. Plus, the people are really nice. I was once mountain biking here, broke my chain, and was quickly and generously offered a ride.

3) Washington DC

Not only is the leafy beauty amazing, but you can watch it secure in the knowledge that this is just one episode in the “which is the most beautiful tree” competition that rages here. When the spring comes the cherry trees will do their best to show up whatever you see here in the fall.

Good responses to this story

“I once dated a girl just like that”
“That’s what she said”
“Almost no other time has the discarding of a body part been so pretty.”