Walnut Family
"Shagbark Hickory"  "Scalybark Hickory" "Shellbark Hickory"
(Carya ovata)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 
Isaiah 55:9-120

            What God does is good!  The ways of the Lord are good.  From creation to the continued care of creation God is good.
            Look at the Hickory trees.  Large yellow and brown leaves fall from the Hickory trees.  Some cling to the tough branches  till snow brings them down.
            In summer caterpillars of the Luna or Polyphemus Moths can be found eating the leaves.  As you rake, keep alert for cocoons among the leaves.
Note the shaggy bark on the trees.

 

            Are there nuts among the leaves?  The nuts are tasty and were prized by early settlers.

            Compare the leaves of the shagbark Hickory with those of the Bitternut Hickory.  How are they alike and how are they different?

Dear Lord,
Help us to appreciate trees that provide food for people and animals.  In your name we pray, Amen.