Apparently it started early...

[Jeff]

Clearly this tree facination thing started early. 
Today was the first time I ever laid eyes on this photo. Taken by my then 15 year old sister Lynda.  I was 4.

Why this topic on this board?  Please help me become even fonder of this new found picture by telling me there is no way that is a willow switch tree!



 

[Magicman]

My first thought was Black Locust but after looking closer it looks mighty Ash'y to me.

[WV Sawmiller]

  Chinese chestnut maybe?

[Jeff]

This was Beaverton Michigan. I think it could a been a willow. I know dad strived to have one in every yard it seemed.

[Magicman]

It could be and the bark pattern is right for any that was mentioned.  Our Willow bark is looser than that seems to be but that ain't "our".  Wonder if there were any "Willow Switch" marks on your butt log??  :D

[kantuckid]

I just trimmed on a willow Saturday and it looks the same, plus the branched trunk too. My Mom made my cowboy shirts, my favorite one had cacti on it.
 Purty tall boy for age 4? 

[Jeff]

I stopped at 6'0.  I am the runt outside of most of the males in my family other than my dad. He was around 5-9 5-10

His dad's dad was 6-6 many of my cousins are over 6-4.  I coulda been 4 and a half I guess. picture was dated 1965, I was born in 61. We moved from that home in 1967. I do remember being sent out to a willow in the yard to pick a switch. when gven the occasional option to get a switch or a belt, I'd choose a belt.  I was sent for something often.:D

[SwampDonkey]

Probably willow. But after saying that, everyone around here for the last hundred years had to plant a box elder. :D And they are not native to New Brunswick. They are just as branching as a willow to, never saw a straight one grow ever. ;D

[mike_belben]

boy its too bad your old shirt never got to meet your new hat. 

[Jeff]

You forget my sleep issues. They are apt too! :D

[KEC]

I see a possible Butternut.

 

[metalspinner]

I was sent out to pick out my willow switch, too. 
Our willow tree in the front yard was quite large and had a Vee shaped trunk from the ground. One summer when I was 12? I built a tree house in it. 
I have all of mom's photo albums now. Maybe I can find a pic?
Man, I pounded a lot of nails in that tree.  :D

[Al_Smith]

Speaking of nails in a tree ,at about 11-12 years old so did I in an apple tree that was huge .In dead wooding that thing when I was about 60 the tree got even with me .Ruined a brand new chain on a Stihl 200T .Poor thing finally gave up at at least 100 years old, ice storm got it over a year ago .
That thing was pretty plump and my niece living in the home place didn't have access to either a larger saw or a splitter .Last fall I clipped it off at ground level and split it for her .