Orange Maple and Old Oak on Odell Place

Only a parking lot separates this old tree on Odell Place from the Odell Memorial Building on the campus of Greensboro College. Most of the year, the decrepit tree looks tired and on its last leg (trunk)? However, when the leaves change to red-orange and the sky is blue, it stands out like the lone, brilliant icon of fall. Nearby, at the west side of the parking lot is a giant oak tree. The oak is sturdier and more massive, but the leaves are nothing more than a dull, leathery brown. Park under the oak and you will hear thud.....thud.......thud with acorns landing like bullets on your car. Across the street is a ginko biloba tree planted in 1981 in memory of Howard C. Wilkinson, a former president of Greensboro College. Don't you just love it when trees have pedigrees, when they are a part of the landscape of a school's collective memory?  Surely, "Meet me by the old maple on Odell Place," has been uttered at least once. 

To enjoy the view, we stood directly under the maple tree, with the sun to our back, looked straight up and snapped. If you are out on a walk this weekend, head to a college campus and "read"  the trees! In you are in Greensboro, visit this one! Shel Silverstein would be proud! (If you have 9 minutes & 44 seconds, listen to him read The Giving Tree here).

This is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday. Thank you for visiting Greensboro Daily Photo! We're here for you-- 365 days a year!

Comments

[B^2]

It appears as though this tree has the last laugh.

[Greensboro Daily Photo]

B2, you are so clever!

[RamblingRound]

Better enjoy those brilliant leaves now! There used to be a huge orange or golden maple tree in my hometown, and it stood in a yard that we passed while walking to school. So much fun to stop a minute and admire the tree and play in the leaves!

[clairz]

What an absolutely lovely Skywatch post AND tribute to some favorite trees!

[Halcyon]

A lovely sky shot. The colors of the trees are really nice too!

Re the sofa: I have a new Beetle and you would be amazed at how much stuff you can fit in there. I bet we could make it work! :)

[LaVoice]

I am glad nothing separated you from this lovely sight. That is an awesome shot. I really enjoyed visiting your blog.

[Manang Kim]

Autumn foliage is so pretty!! Love the clear blue sky!
Sky Watch

[Living So Abundantly]

Look at all of the colors in the picture! Well done!

[Bonjour Luxembourg]

The Autumn orange leaves gave a magnificent contrast with so intense blue sky, amazing angle in this shot!Well done!
Léia

[Judy]

I think straight up into the tree is often the best view, especially in the spring and fall!

[Anette]

What an amazing photo! I love the beautiful autumn colours! All the best from Anette in Norway :)

[tapirgal]

Hi Jan, I love your colors today! The contest is just because someone sent in a photo, and I thought it would be fun to have guest photos all month, so I made it into a contest. They get a prize from my online store, so it was a chance to talk about that also. Sneaky, but there you have it :)

[tapirgal]

Also, I've been very busy and had other time demands, so I haven't been commenting around as much as usual. I miss it, but things go in cycles. Thanks for visiting. I really appreciate it.

[Jacob]

A superb composition, Jan! Great colors in that tree and the sky is magnificent!

So glad that our photos bring back good memories. I'd hate to have it the other way around! :-)

[Farmchick]

Love the colors on the tree and the contrast with the sky. Nice

[Emily]

The sky is beyond Carolina blue...moving toward Duke Blue!!! Brilliant picture! We did have a lovely fall in Greensboro...with the emphasis on had.