Eric Sloane and Husband and Wife Trees

Thought I might start a “resource theme” of finding photographic examples of Eric’s works.  Some of this falls into the genre of Early American/Eric Sloane “forensics”, much like author Tom Wessels’ treatment of New England forests in his 1997 classic Reading the Forested Landscape:  A Natural History of New England.  Wessels, incidentally, is a favorite of my friend and fellow board member Jeffrey Bischoff.  No doubt if you have been around Jeff, he has made you keenly aware of Mr. Wessels.

I am going to start with one of my favorite references by Mr. Sloane, one that involves the planting of “husband and wife” trees:

husband and wife trees

 

These relics, if you are lucky enough to find them, are sometimes found still standing long after the house has been destroyed.  They seem like sentries guarding a tomb of something no longer present, yet the presence of these guardians harken back to a much earlier time.  Here are two of my favorites, both oak trees of a very advanced age…

husband and wife trees autumn

…in autumn, and below in winter…

husband and wife trees winter