Collecting acorns straight from the tree is so much fun we
had to go back for more. Our English Oak
(
Quercus robur) of choice is overshadowed
by a large Atlas Cedar and forced to sprawl out for light. I climbed up into the tree and had
fun balancing on the low spreading branches while picking acorns. On our bike ride home I spotted some
ornamental hawthorns growing next to the Parliament Building with large red
fruit. A few days ago I tasted the fruit
of the same species planted next to Leigh’s house and was immediately reminded
of haw, a dried fruit snack that I had when I was in China. I looked up haw and discovered that the tree
has large red fruit and leaves that look just like those planted here in
Victoria, so I am going to call it Chinese Hawthorn (
Crataegus
pinnatifida). We collected a bag full
from limbs that were low enough to reach, and took them home to mash, strain
the seeds out of, and freeze so that I can make my own haw when I finish drying
acorns and have free baking sheets again.
Collecting acorns straight from the tree is so much fun we
had to go back for more. Our English Oak
(Quercus robur) of choice is overshadowed
by a large Atlas Cedar and forced to sprawl out for light. I climbed up into the tree and had
fun balancing on the low spreading branches while picking acorns. On our bike ride home I spotted some
ornamental hawthorns growing next to the Parliament Building with large red
fruit. A few days ago I tasted the fruit
of the same species planted next to Leigh’s house and was immediately reminded
of haw, a dried fruit snack that I had when I was in China. I looked up haw and discovered that the tree
has large red fruit and leaves that look just like those planted here in
Victoria, so I am going to call it Chinese Hawthorn (Crataegus
pinnatifida). We collected a bag full
from limbs that were low enough to reach, and took them home to mash, strain
the seeds out of, and freeze so that I can make my own haw when I finish drying
acorns and have free baking sheets again.