Empty Courtyard (2)

The same tree from Wednesday.

I really like this tree, in part because it is an uncommon species around here and reminds me of other places I have lived. I always knew of it as a poplar tree, otherwise known as a tulip tree. I thought this was because of the distinctive shape of the leaves (not pictured here!), but now believe it is because of the distinctive cones which are visible after the leaves are gone. I never really noticed these before because I have always encountered this species as a tall and impressive tree, and the cones in the upper branches were not really visible from the ground. My wife tells me this is not actually a poplar tree but a different genus entirely (she actually rattled off the scientific name Liriodendron tulipifera as soon as I brought this photo to her attention. She does that sort of thing sometimes).

In any case, watching it change over the course of the seasons as I walk through this particular hallway always brings little jolt of pleasantness. I should really make sure to take another photo of it in the spring.