Once again, it’s time for MrsT’s quizzes to branch out and spread their roots, and this round... you’ve guessed it, its trees! They help regulate our climate and provide food and shelter for a whole host of animals as well as providing us with a variety of resources, we might otherwise take for granted. Let’s face it, what wood (pun intended) the world be without trees? They come in all shapes and sizes, as do the leaves and fruit that they bare and yes, I was one of those kids who loved the school trip to Westonbirt Arboretum. For the next 12 weeks, I will leaf you with a clue or two about trees for you to mulch over.EnjoyMYSTERY TREE QUIZ #6Clue: A great pick-me-up.
Ah, I think it must be Hornbeam. Apparently, it can be used to make a tonic or pick-me-up and its wood is used traditionally to make ox yokes.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Could also be Birch...too many choices here!!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Now I think that WendyBartter could be right with "Cornus". While looking up more about yokes, I came to the word "Whipple-Tree", this is the name of a construction that is important for horses or oxes pulling a carriage, and also another old name for "Cornus".
Bente
oak tree
great in the clue could mean mighty [mighty oak]
but not sure about a tonic
oak is one of the woods for making yokes
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
now going for Elm
another wood for yokes and know there is a tonic or syrup made from this tree
watch oak be right lol
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Let’s start with the clues! First clue: A great pick-me-up. Tonics are said to be great pick-me-ups. A tonic can be made from Hornbeam was thought to relieve exhaustion. The second clue: You’ve got to be yoking. Hornbeam wood is strong and hard and has many uses, one of which was as a material for making ox-yokes (hence yoking), the device that allowed an ox to pull a cart.
Found in oak woodland, Hornbeam trees are often confused with Common beech, but can reach 30 metres in height and can live up to 300 years. Though their oval leaves are similar in shape to beech, Hornbeam leaves are smaller and have deeper furrows. Both male and female catkins are found on the same tree. Female catkins turn into winged fruits called samaras. Despite being a robust tree, Hornbeams suffer, as do many trees a result of squirrels stripping their bark.
A picture of a Hornbeam tree is found here.
Did you know that: Hornbeam leaves were once used to heal wounds and stop bleeding.
Keep an eye out for next week’s Mystery tree quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire
bygum she's done it again LOL
Congrats BW & TJ!
Hope we are getting a tree for Xmas week ... Need something to distract from all that Turkey & stuff!!! Lol
Well done TJ, and BW that was excellent fathoming !
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Regards, Hazel
Aye next one on Monday (23rd)!