Cutleaf Japanese Maple

      This is a photograph of a Cutleaf Japanese Maple. It is the tree that graces the cover of "These Trees." I name very few of my photographs, but I have named this one "Tree Spirit" because I just love all the energy you can imagine flowing through those strong but curving branches. I decided to post it on my blog today because people often ask me what kind of tree it is and, the memory being what it is, I often can't remember. 
          People sometimes think this is a Live Oak tree. Live Oaks also have branches that curve in a similar way, but of course the leaves and the bark are quite different. There is a photograph of a Live Oak with the poem "Crone Oak" by Kate Stockman in the book "These Trees." I took that Live Oak in the arboretum of Jacksonville, Florida. There is another Live Oak that is more famous and people often assume this cover photo is of the "Angel Oak" just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Below is a photograph of the Angel Oak for comparison.