Climbing Tree

On a recent Sunday after services ended, I spotted a child climbing one of the copper beeches. She was excited that I captured this moment. It was her first time being able to climb up by herself!

Leaf Investigation

This morning I walked through the site and collected a variety of leaves to study.

They ranged in length from 3.25 inches to 5 inches.
The mean length of the leaves I collected was 4 inches.
The median length was 4 inches.

Paper Birch

Norway Maple

Purple (or Copper) Beech

Early Morning Observations

My plan was to get a coffee at Angel's Cafe across the street and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables under the copper beeches. But the café does not open until 8am on Saturday and the tables were still damp from the days of rain we had this week. So instead I walked around the area.

I came across some mushrooms in a corner.

I soon noticed some bird activity in the young birch trees. Song sparrows, house sparrows and a junco were busy in this corner.

There were lots of branches down from the storm. 

Now that the leaves are falling, you can see a couple nests in the maple.

A Sanctuary Amidst the Bustle and Noise of a Town Center

At the corner of Main and Depot Streets in the center of Sharon, MA stand two copper beech trees. They reside in the side yard of a meetinghouse which is home to a Unitarian congregation. 

Underneath one tree, there is a plaque:

In between the two trees are two picnic tables, inviting passersby to rest awhile. 

I chose this place for my Place Project, an assignment for a graduate course I am taking at Regis College, Natural Science in the Classroom II, because it is in the yard of the church where I attend services and other events with my family. It is very close to my house and I admire the trees every time I pass by them. I am curious about the history of the trees and the events that have taken place under them. 

The bark of the trees reminds me of elephants: