Elm Petals

Public Garden, May 2008

In late spring, elm trees drop these petals. They are ecru, and delicate, and lovely. They make a soft rustling noise that I love. On windy days, they fall from the trees like rain. They cover the ground for blocks around the Public Garden in May, because the south side of the Garden is lined with majestic elms. If I ever got married, I would want these to be thrown instead of rice or flower petals.

Elm Tree

Public Garden, May 2008

The row of elms on the south side of the Public Garden are my favorite trees. They are tall and grand, give tremendous shade in summer, shed those lovely rustling ecru petals late in spring (more on which later), and make elegant shapes with their snow-covered branches in winter. This is one of them in early May, before the petals dried and fell like sweet-sounding snow.

Brilliant Elm

Public Garden, May 2007