When the chokecherries blossom there are big white splashes across the landscape everywhere. I caught a few last night just before the sun went down.
The blossoms fill the trees,
and the trees line the river banks.
Oh, and it pays to stay alert: there are other things that lurk among the chokecherries too! (This shot was more difficult to get than you might think!)
Yikes, that locomotive came out of nowhere! I like the shot of the trees along the river. Very celestial.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — May 31, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
I like to see them too. Right now they’re getting their feet washed: usually they are about 8 feet above the water. The river is at the height of the spring runoff now.
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Comment by montucky — May 31, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
The trees along the river are gorgeous! Thanks!
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Comment by Sara — June 1, 2008 @ 5:59 am
From far away it looks like dogwood. I would probably just stay away because I am crazy allergic to that stuff.
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Comment by scienceguy288 — June 1, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Sara,
They certainly brighten up the area, don’t they? They are special to me too because of their fruit: we made about 6 gallons of syrup and jelly last fall from the berries.
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Comment by montucky — June 1, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Scienceguy,
You would have a rough time here this time of year. Chokecherries are everywhere. I’ve not heard of an allergy problem with them though like there is with sage and other local plants.
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Comment by montucky — June 1, 2008 @ 8:42 am
oooh, the riverbank shots are really nice!
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Comment by silken — June 1, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
The setting sun seemed to illuminate the blossoms. Couldn’t pass that up!
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Comment by montucky — June 1, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
Fascinating post for a couple of reasons; first, I rarely see chokecherries along riverbanks over here (that seems taken by aspens, birch and thimble berries etc…) ours tends to be a hodgepodge of various flora along river banks. (So much so we look for aspens & birch to find water over here.) (Great spot to dig a well btw) So seeing yours lined with chokecherry bushes are a little surprising. Not grandly so but a little…. hum… Okay meanwhile, I love the formation of the blossoms on a choke cherry bush (and the smell is out of this world) in my case they surround my house, offer homes to the hummingbirds in summer, the juncos in the spring and fall… I’ve got nice feelings about these bushes and thus your post as well. Great tribute!
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Comment by aullori — June 1, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
I really love them too! They are so beneficial to all of the wildlife and don’t forget the bears! I think chokecherries might be the most beneficial plant of all for the bear population, especially when it comes to fattening up for winter. They simply feast on them!
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Comment by montucky — June 1, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
You live in such a fascinating place. I can’t thank you enough for sharing it with us. I keep coming back for more.
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Comment by Tabbie — June 2, 2008 @ 3:27 am
Yes, it is beautiful here, Tabbie. Even the scenes that I’ve seen for so many years keep refreshing and changing. They never get old.
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Comment by montucky — June 2, 2008 @ 10:32 am
Mmm, now I want chokecherry jam! *drool* Heh… Or sandhill berry preserves. Or dad’s rhubarb pie. *sigh*
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Comment by katkmeanders — June 3, 2008 @ 8:25 am
Er, I meant sandhill plum I think. I just remember the “sandhill” part clearly. Some fruit that grows wild in Kansas.
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Comment by katkmeanders — June 3, 2008 @ 8:26 am
I’m not familiar with sandhill plums, but yesterday my wife made a delicious rhubarb pie! Yum!
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Comment by montucky — June 3, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
I am looking for information on when and how to transplant chockcherry bushes. thank you
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Comment by j reynolds — February 24, 2010 @ 11:19 am
I just sent you an email with a link to a USDA site that may be of help to you. USDAHRCS
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Comment by montucky — February 24, 2010 @ 8:01 pm