Paradise for trees

The Pacific Northwest is not only good for flowers, but it must be a perfect ecosystem for trees. 

We learned this a couple of years ago during our redwoods trip in northern California. But the idea was strongly reinforced by our recent time in Washington.

So tall, so lush, so enormous in every dimension—take a look at this typical specimen in a Centralia playground...

Hal couldn't resist trying to climb...
handily providing scale for me in the process

Here's a gallery of photos that just skims the surface of the amazing arboreal scenery on offer in the greater Seattle area...

can you imagine having this as the vacant lot next door?
my nephew and new niece do!

another look at that Centralia playground

looking up from the playground equipment

this amazing specimen is in the Centralia Square park

dads and kids on a hike in Centralia

another look at the trail in Centralia...with our point kid

As I found to be true in the redwood forests, the micro-views are as interesting as the macros in these wonderful spaces...

bark closeup masquerading as abstract art

mossy trunks hollow at the base, on our hike in Centralia

we couldn't decide if these were tree seedlings or some other kind of plant altogether

Then, there are other ways in which woody biota is in use around here...both commercially...

...and artistically...

a delightful maze at the Olympia childrens' museum

Yes, a paradise for tree-lovers as well as the trees themselves!