May 10, 2010

The Danish Trees.

Slowly, the plants around are turning green. Despite the fact that last week was the coldest May week in the last 13 years, nature nevertheless still moves forward.
This progress is always mostly visible on our trees. It is interesting to note their state right now; some are already green, some are barely displaying leaves, some are in bloom but leave-less and some are still bare.

Our Birch tree is now in full bloom and its foliage is getting more lush by every day. The update below is not as significant as last week, except for the Cherry tree to the left that is now displaying pink flowers. However, the trees around, which I assume to be Ash and Oak continue to be unchanged.

Except for these three (Birch, Oak and Ash), my immediate surroundings contain a selection of various fruit trees (including Cherry trees), some Fir trees and Spruces. Additionally, if I take a short walk, I can spot Elm, Hazel, Willow, Maple, Chestnut, Beech and a few Linden trees, which bear heavenly scented flowers in late summer.
Still these account only for a selection of almost forty different species of trees that grow in Denmark. About 12% of the country surface is covered by woods an this number is luckily on the rise, expected to be 25% in 100 years. The Danes are very attentive when it comes to their nature and recognized early on the potential of large wooded areas.

In my city, there are numerous natural forests that follow the coastline and are a home to versatile plant and animal life. A stone throw away from almost any location one can find solace and tranquility in the shade of the crowns of many magnificent, at time ancient trees.

(Please click to enlarge)

19 comments:

Brian Miller said...

its cold here this morning...it started turning back yesterday...it was fooling though and i came away with a little sun burn...60s and 70s the rest of the week so...hopefully the frost this morning doesnt mess with the trees too bad...

Mike Minzes said...

It's May and I can see my breath when I went outside this morning? I think Mother Nature is very unhappy with us humans

Avo said...

A lovely account both visual and written of your surroundings.
Thanks for sharing and for consistently putting up beautiful posts.

Betsy Brock said...

What a lovely little spot with the white chairs!

Kath said...

A lovely place to sit and what a gorgeous blue sky!

tony said...

i Have Only Been To Denmark Once although I Remember It's Great Beauty.
The Nice Thing About This Time Of year is the Great Possibilty It Holds.May Always Surprises Us.For Example,tonight in England they forcast Frost (& maybe a little snow!0 But It is quite possible that next week we could be basking in a Heatwav! Here's Hoping!

Lulda Casadaga said...

Our cherry trees have already bloomed here but others have taken over...:) I just love it that every day I see something new popping up or getting greener.
We had the most windest weekend I could remember...thought I was back in Oklahoma...:D

Enjoy your week!

Sandy said...

It's cold here today Zuzana! We had to turn our furnace back on last night too. Burrrrr....what happened to our spring weather? Our River Birch is very lush this spring. It is filling out quite nicely. Our last tree to leaf out is our Mountain Green Maple. I tried to plant different trees in our yard so if a bug hit one kind hopefully it wouldn't spread to all. We had a linden tree planted in our first home years and years ago. And a crimson king maple in our last home. Hubby wants to plant some more trees so maybe this fall we can get that done. Don't work too hard today kiddo.

Cat in the road said...

Obviously I see I’m not alone. Mother Nature is playing games with us here in NYC too. It’s the middle of May but the temps here have been in the 50’s during the day and upper 30’s at night. The vegetables in my garden are saying, “Wassup???”
-
I’m glad the Danish people are conscious of their environment. I wish I could say the same about my fellow Americans. I say this as I watch gushing oil threaten our coastline and wonder: “Will they ever learn?”

Hilary said...

Southern Ontario weather here in Canada has taken a turn for the nasty the past several days. That's what we get for being so complacent about our early spring weather. Glad to see that you're finally in bloom. Your grass looks so incredibly green!

sprinkles said...

I love cherry trees! They've been blooming around here for awhile now and I love it. They're so beautiful when they bloom!

We're supposed to get rain today and tomorrow and then this weekend is supposed to be gorgeous! Keeping my fingers crossed that the weatherman actually knows what he's talking about.

Claus said...

It must be glorious to be one step away from such wonderful and well-taken care of nature. And so much diversity around! Lucky you. It must equally enchanting to witness their changes, especially when they are "born" again every Spring.
Have a great week ahead Zuzana!
hugs

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Mother nature at its best! Hugs.

Mahmud Yussop said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I'm all in support of the Danes in reforesting their country.Still, I love how nature is exhibiting her best as the seasons pass by your house. Great trees and changing hues.

Holly said...

I am jealous of the green lush area that you live in. Your pictures are always soo inviting!

I have to agree that the weather has been very odd lately though. We had a few days here that were smoldering hot and humid followed by some that were unseasonably cold. ?? It's a bit eery!!

I loved your post on details in red!

Maria said...

Always a pleasure to visit here - beautiful writing and photos...

Gal Friday said...

Even though we are having a bit of a cold spell(currently only 9*C at noontime!)for May, our spring has been warmer than usual, and so our trees are all fairly covered with good size leaves by now. In more normal years, the oak trees(like your's in Denmark) would just barely have the beginning of leaves on them, but this year with our early spring even they have good sized leaves on them.

Such a pretty view of your garden with the white bench and the birch tree!

Greener Bangalore said...

love to know about your Danish trees Zuzan.. and lovely surroundings.....really glad that you have natural forest just a stone throw away......so blessed....!! even here in India there are a lots of forests too.....

Zuzana said...

Brian, Realliveman, Alesa, Betsy, Kath, tony, Lulda, Sandy, Scribe, Hilary, sprinkles, Claudia, Phillip, Mahmood, Holly, Maria, Tina and Greener, thank you all for still finding the progression of my Birch Tree interesting enough to follow and comment on. I am sorry for my very belated reply to you all; please know that I always look forward to your visits and love to read what you have to say.

Xoxo
Zuzana