Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

Color our world

We love the color palette of fall. And, while last week's brush with Tropical Storm Ida blew down many of the leaves, there are still some colorful displays to enjoy. Staff photographer Tracy Glantz enjoys the season as well, and captured images from autumns past.

This majestic sugar maple tree has become a neighborhood treasure.

Residents change their walking routes through Shandon to see it in its autumn glory.

Strangers stop by to make photographs.

So it's fitting that this year, it's one of 18 trees nominated for the Treasured Tree program through Columbia's tree and appearance commission.

Trees named to the list will be announced in coming weeks.

The sugar maple straddles the Shandon yards, at Bonham and Monroe streets, of Anne Sinclair, a former city councilwoman, and Claudia Smith Brinson, a former columnist with The State.

The two neighbors and their families have shared the joys of the tree for years.

With its low-hanging branches, it served as a perfect climbing tree for their children and as a perch for family photographs for the Brinsons.

"We both feel we are guardians of the tree," Sinclair said.

While Sinclair refers to the tree as "a fall-lover's dream" in her application, this year's heavy rains have taken a toll on the usual splendor.

Still, it inspires.

"It really is loved by a lot of people," Sinclair said.

- Tracy Glantz

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