Malodorus?? Foliage smells like peanut butter and the tree often goes by the common name of peanut butter tree in addition to harlequin glorybower (and who knows where THAT came from!!). I've never found a single printed tree resource that was the least bit complete. Dirr's Manual of Woody Plants comes close but unwieldy and outdated. I do like Phillips and Rix Trees of North America, but again, not very complete. Sternberg's Native Trees for NA is just that - natives only ( I miss Guy - anyone heard from him recently?) I would not think twice about posting on the Name That Plant forum. There are many who are daily posters asking what plant is what and the regulars - like esh above - consider it an exciting and fun challenge to be prompt to respond. Sometimes amazingly prompt!!

Time out for a bit of fun with this question re traveling and tree identification. When one is familiar with trees and each variety's best growing situation it is possible, after also noting surrounding vegetation in an area, to put together a fairly accurate soil sample of the passing scenery. Also such observances noted quickly along roadways can be helpful guides to an area's geology. For instance, we are driving and viewing an old growth wooded hill along the MA Turnpike. With your knowledge of trees could you answer the following question...."where on that hill would be the best spot to drill a well?" What significant tree(s)have I noted which indicate an underground source of moving water?

Well my DH wins the prize. He hasn't divorced me or threatened to take away my spade, yet. I don't know if all of you saw the photos that Jim (Idiothe) posted of Sheila and I with our kayaks and bikes and the car completely loaded with hostas? Well in order to do that we loaded all our gear in our boats. It is my hubby's car. (both our names are on it, but it is his vehicle 98% of the time.) I drive the used Mommy van that gets used as a truck for hauling mulch and whatever. But the kayak rack is mine, and I can't load boats on my van due to a bad shoulder. So..... he is very particular about his car. He hates me putting the rack on, he will not drive on gravel, etc. So with my bad shoulder, and the heavy boats, I couldn't lift my end of Sheil's up very well. So the J cradles kept twisting and falling down. I finally found a man to help us. We finally got it loaded, made it home... and there are dents all over the top of the car. Bad dents, like really big hail. :( Like will never come out. I feel awful, I do. Whats done is done, and he isn't holding it against me. But he is so sad. And I am too. But I did get all my hostas home! So he wins the hosta hubby of the year award. I need to get those trophies made, don't I? Anyone want to nominate their Wife for the Hosta Wife of the year award?

I love looking at this forum because there are so many talented, plant loving folks here. I have been reading a book called Lab Girl, which is a memoir about a scientist with a focus on botany and I keep thinking some of you would LOVE it. I am truly blown away by the quality of her writing and the way she writes about trees in particular. It is lyrical, yet scientific. She makes the most amazing metaphorical connections between the natural world of plants and her own journey through life. Fascinating. So if you want a good read, check it out. I haven't finished it yet, (and don't want to because it's SO good) so I can't speak to the complete book. But I am savoring every page.