Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf. –Albert Schweitzer
I’ve been looking forward to #ThursdayTreeLove all week. I’d intended to spend time in the company of trees this week, but between too hot and too busy, I had to forgo tree therapy. Thankfully, I have a healthy supply of photos for such times.
I “discovered” the tree in this post while walking around Bridge Street Town Centre, an outdoor mall [understatement] here in Huntsville, Alabama. While my son and his peers scurried about solving puzzle after puzzle in a carefully planned (for social distancing) outdoor scavenger hunt, I took advantage of the time to appreciate nature’s offerings. [Thanks, AJ’s mom!]
There were pretty blooms everywhere, but I found this tree captivating–its shape, the “fringes,” its dancing shadow.
I learned the name of this tree from JoAnna of Anything Is Possible. Also a tree lover who participates in #ThursdayTreeLove, she wrote about the tree a couple of months ago–about two weeks after I first encountered the tree.
The tree, Chionanthus virginicus, is known by many names:
Some people call it grancy graybeard. Others know it as grandfather graybeard, granddaddy’s beard, old-man’s beard, snow flower tree or flowering ash. Botanists, on the other hand, have named it fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus). –Terry W. Johnson, “Out My Backdoor”
It’s a beautiful tree. I was surprised to learn it’s not all that uncommon in these parts. In fact, the “grumpy gardener” claims it’s the best native tree that nobody knows. Before I encountered the tree two months ago, I certainly didn’t know.
Have you seen this tree before?
I am joining Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.
Pics and Posts 
I love your tree posts. This one is new to me, but I love it. How dainty and festive. Makes me think of a fancy fascinator hat or pom-poms. Haha.
Happy weekend Chandra! 🙂
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Haha! Thanks for loving the trees with me!
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What a beautiful tree! I don’t think I have ever seen one like it.
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Thanks! I’m going to keep my eyes open for more of them in these parts. Maybe, I just hadn’t noticed it before. Hard to imagine that though…
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It’s lovely. Not seen one here in the UK so I did a bit of research. They do grow here as trees or shrubs but a quite rare.
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Wonderful! I hope you get to see one up close and personal.
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Nope, never seen it before! Granddaddy’s beard is such a cute name!! Reminds me of the Bottlebrush tree that grows here.
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I agree about the name! That’s why I chose it over the dozen other names. 😀 I love the bottlebrush tree. There was one near the Montessori school my son when to. I captured it through its bud phase, but always missed the “brush” phase!
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How pretty I love trees too!
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Thank you!
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What a lovely find! I haven’t seen the tree but would love to see one day. So glad you went on a tree therapy 🙂
Thanks for joining with these lovely shots and I hope to see you back tomorrow.
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I’m here today with a “different” type of tree love. 🙂
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I recently discovered this species at a city park in NC. It was like discovering treasure! Dr. Schweitzer’s quote fits well.
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I know!!! I remember your post. That’s how I discovered the name. I think I referenced your post.
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🙂 Thank you! Happy to spread Granddaddy’s Beard! 🙂
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