Treeshells
Beachcombers know how something curled
in the curve of a cresting wave . . .
can come to rest ashore
where it’s found and held like a treasure.
Seashells of the tree
pulled from wind-blown branches
and cast to our feet . . .
may look insignificant from a distance.
However. . . seen close up,
you notice its one-of-a-kind sculptural aspects.
For a few years I’ve collected what I call “treeshells”. I collect them photographically when they’re still attached to the tree, and later when they appear beneath the tree and at my feet.
Here is a partial “gallery” arrangement of one collection (click the image for more details) . . .
and another one taken outside (near the trees of origin):
Here’s a close-up of one section:
Each one is sculpturally interesting enough for an individual photograph. At the same time, it’s interesting to experiment with grouping them in display case.
I wish to thank my artist friend Michele, who very much encouraged me to continue this quietly-pursued interest.
In addition, I was energized to take these photos and set up this post after exchanging comments with the artistic jewelry maker Gunilla Redelius at her Galeriaredelius post describing her own recent interest in tree bark.
This is the drought-tolerant and native California Pepper tree, a messy tree, always shedding leaves, twigs, peppers and curly bark. I probably wouldn’t have planted it myself, but how glad I am it’s here! This one is about 50 feet high and provides a gazebo-like shelter beneath it’s wide-canopy.
If you post any image of tree bark, please let include a link in the comments—I am curious to see different varieties.
marsowords 
Love this post… A feast for the eyes.
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Good to hear!!
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That’s a nice collection, and a nice idea.
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Oh, how I love the word “treeshells”! Thank you so much for picking up on my post in such a wonderful way and for sharing your collection. It’s beautiful, and I fully understand your interest! It’s funny how you refer to this pepper tree as “messy”. As for birch trees, I remember when I was a little girl and could not understand why adults (always mothers, it seemed to me!) would complain about them, because of all the seeds that fall down and blow around and fill every corner of the garden, spread out on garden furniture and swim in the lemonade glasses. I couldn’t see what the problem was, really – but have to admit that as an adult, I might not appreciate a birch nearby, for this very reason. Well, that was a parenthesis.
You have a beautiful collection here and it’s inspiring to see! Now that we know we are not alone, let’s keep going on this theme, whenever and as much as we want to! :-)
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