Well, all the leaves are dropping, but so are the tree seeds. So far, I've got at least 30 red oak acorns from a few sources. ED NOTE: I went and counted the acorns; 47 total, not all of them are Northern Red Oak, theres a few white oaks mixed in. I found a bunch of black walnuts at the park too, so I don't need any more of these.
Another good thing: I found a new source of ash seed. I have a nice pile of seeds waiting to be sorted, sitting on the table drying out. Good haul this year.
So far, I've gotten only a single sugar maple seed. Can't seem to find these easily. No beech yet either.

We went up north (This is a collective term for northern Michigan) around my birthday, and I found some great seeds up there. Lots of white pine, northern white cedar, and, most importantly, my very first Eastern Hemlock. I really like hemlocks. Also up north, I found all sorts of white ash seeds, but none were ripe yet. Guess I'll have to go back next fall. White ash is at the top of my wish list.

Still haven't found any black ash. Nor have I gotten elm seeds, but they're found in spring. I'll put up a picture of the three ash tree types with this post.

WHITE ASH-GREEN ASH-BLACK ASH ... in that order.

The growth of my trees never stops amazing me. If you read my last post, about the ash tree trouble, I have to update that.
1. The ash tree nearly died from fertilizer burn.
2. The condition was made worse by sun exposure after it had grown large leaves. It was trying to adapt to the indoor conditions.
3. Heavy rains nearly finished it off.

The ash shook off losing two branches and came back, a little ragged looking, but strong. Picture included. You'll notice the (endangered) American chestnut to the left, and a small pot of ash sprouts.

American chestnuts are probably my most valuable trees. I've got only two. They're endangered, and I'll dedicate a post to them soon.

The ash trees are my current focus, since they are easy to grow, and suprisingly easy to find. Even though the invasive Emerald ash borer almost wiped out the ash trees in Michigan, I've learned how to identify ash trees from a distance, allowing me to find survivors.

I must have twenty or thirty ashes total, so I might want to stop sprouting the seed now.

My largest ash tree (Which you may remember from earlier posts) is growing very fast from the winter thaw. I had to bring it in from outside because it is snowing.

Here's the problem: The tree is starting to branch out and the stems are very flexible. It has about a 5" total of new growth, and it is bending into undesired shapes. Other than using light to encourage growth direction, and manual bending, how can I keep the tree's shape regular? It has two stems, and the larger, more dominant stem is branching from the top two large buds and terminal bud.

Pic provided!

I think this is hilarious. The while site has a filter, and you cannot cuss! What a great place Newgrounds has become!

If anyone has a good idea of what I could use, put it here in a comment!
EDITED: Got a new one, the old profile pic will be saved here for all of NG to see.

My old keybord finlly busted, so I have to copy/paste the letter a, becuse that key broke. Why didn't Q break? I never use that one!

also, F8 and F10 don't work, either.

Update: Got a new one.

This spring, I am getting four american chestnuts and an american beech. Don't know what they are? Look it up. Chestnuts are very rare.

Meanwhile, the ashes are very healthy. Take a look!

UPDATE: Two more promising-looking ash seeds sprouted. They're still small, so we'll see what they do.
UPDATE 2: The two new sprouts are very close, within an inch of each other. Unfortunatly, one seems to have stunted growth while the other is budding and growing normally. I'm thinking about a transplant, but it will require another pot or growing space, and that's something I do not have in the winter.
UPDATE 3: I separated those two sprouts, and put the smaller one in a Dixie cup with dirt (Lol, redneck growing) and both have responded well.

The newest ash sprout looks to be successful. I have about seven now, two more than the last post. Unfortunatly, the seed coats won't come off of some of the sprouts. They are stuck, and there is no way to physically remove them without injuring or killing the seedlings.
However, two have sprouted without coats. These look to be the most successful ash trees. This one (See picture) was scorched when i unwittingly left the sprouts under an incandescent growing light. (Note: Only use flourescent lights to grow plants) It has only one full seed leaf, but it is growing strong anyway. Ashes are hardy.
Live and learn. Survival of the fittest.

I've got about five ash sprouts to date. Apparently, the seed coats stick on longer than I thought. One sprout nearly died when I tried to take the coat off with a razor (Insert emo joke here). Really, I'm trying my best to understand how they germinate. Only one (1) ash sprout has no inner seed coat; it has a very nice pair of seed leaves.

Yes, fall is here again, and the colors are blazing!
My strongest cottonwood hasn't got any color yet, but just about everything else has. I'm almost certain that my ash is a Black ash, because it lost its leaves early. The maples are burning red, as are my oaks.
The tulip seeds are ripened and opening up.

Michigan: Where you can experience all four seasons in one month.

Got any questions? Go ahead and ask them.