Perfect Day

.

Imagine a perfect day – pleasant sunshine, low humidity, a cool soft breeze. Imagine flawlessly designed gardens, rolling hills, stands of old trees and lush green growth.

.

.
In this perfect weather, the world’s best women golfers meet this week at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem for the U.S Women’s Open. Even if you don’t like golf, it’s an idyllic place for a walk.

On Wednesday, the last day of practice rounds, the atmosphere was relaxed as golfers concentrated to gain a feel for the course. They spent a lot of time on the greens getting familiar with the difficult putting surfaces. Golfers graciously signed autographs at every hole.

.

Allison Fouch on the green on a difficult hole #3 (Meadows) – a lot of balls in the water behind the caddies in the picture.

.
Even the best golfers can have a bad shot. Juli Inkster in the woods on par 5 hole #6. This hole named Sahara seems about 3 miles long with more sand than the beach.

.
Thursday’s competition was more serious. Thousands of people watched in a hushed, almost reverent, atmosphere.

This locally hosted U.S./World championship is just another reason to make me glad I live in the Lehigh Valley. It is exciting to watch the women play on a beautiful course on a beautiful day.

I’ll try to get back to earth (literally) with an update on my garden on Wednesday.

.
Putting practice in front of the clubhouse.

.

Tree of Heaven

The Tree of Heaven is not a heavenly tree. This invasive tree was imported from China in 1784 and rapidly spread in the US. It was greeted as a great landscape tree because it grew fast and had no natural enemies. In China it is known as “stinking chun”. I hear the leaves and male flowers smell like rotten peanut butter.

Tree of Heaven resembles a Sumac. The leaves reveal the difference.

Tree of Heaven has one to three serrations at the base of the leaf.



The Sumac leaf is serrated throughout.



The Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is difficult to get rid of once it is established. It spreads by seeds and root suckers. It can grow 10 to 15 feet a year. Repeated and frequent cutting before it gets large is recommended. For larger trees, the stump may need to be painted with an herbicide immediately after cutting. Vigilance is required to eliminate suckers that pop up. It may take 2 or 3 years to totally eliminate it in the landscape.

More information from Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service: http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Pages/Tree_of_heaven.htm