Cherry tree? Sadly, no...

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 23 September
Location: West of Bistro, South of Goudy
Time: 948-1004
Weather: 49˚F, brisk, scattered clouds, partly sunny

Near a tripartite blue Opening Days board, this 50-foot tree resembled a tall version of the huckleberry shrub. The bark was light brown and ashen grey in color. On the trunk were a few horizontal bands of tiny dark dots, forming a ring about the diameter. Many of the lower branches have been sawed off, leaving circles of dark wood that decorated the entire column. Six trunks branched off from the ground, creating a small niche where leaves and spider webs accumulated. Two long strands of webbing dangled from the branches. A small offspring, 1-foot high, grew next to its parent, nearly flush with the latter’s trunk. The shiny, dark green leaves were elliptical and slightly serrated. A few of the leaves nearer the trunk appeared nibbled on by pests. Clusters of dried flowers hung limply, arranged like a catechin. They were orange or yellow, but there was no clue as to the color of fresh blossoms. Surrounding the few flowers though were a profusion of ½ inch berries. They were slightly elongated, with a small sharp bump at the base of the berries. They hung individually, one on each twig. Most were a dark maroon, but a few were still bright scarlet. One or two looked like rainier cherries; they were crimson on top and faded into a pale white on the bottom. I wonder if they’re edible? I hadn’t found any birds feasting on them as of yet. A few leaves have fallen onto the chunky mulched ground. Even fewer berries had fallen onto the sidewalk to form a mess of goo. Behind me, an American crow had landed and grabbed at a morsel that someone had negligently tossed aside. It curiously pecked at it in the inch high grass and appeared to bury it. Moments later, it began a series of cacophonic caws, all aimed toward the NE. it would shout by dropping its jaw and pulling its head back simultaneously, then walk slightly forward and repeat its process. I had no idea as to what it was directed at or whether it was merely a call to inform others of food.