This is a picture the publisher took of a Douglas fir tree growing on the grounds of the Scone Palace in Pershire, Scotland. In fact, David Douglas planted it.
You see, in 1823 (after Scotland came up with fences to keep sheep and cattle off the castle grounds), they sent a 24 year old David Douglas America to gather seeds so they could then beautify those grounds. The first time he sailed to New York where brought back new varieties of apple trees, oaks and all kinds of other plants, trees and flowers.
The next time (to save money) they sent him here as a passenger on an annual Hudson Bay supply ship and he brought back:
1. Grand fir, white fir and Noble fir
2. Lodgepole pine, big-cone pine, sugar pine
3. Vine maple and broad-leaf maple
4. The madrona tree
5. California poppy
6. Sunflower
7. Honeysuckle
8. Lupin
9. Oregon grape
10. Forget-me-nots
11. Flowering current
12. Bluegrass
13. Huckleberry
14. Bear grass
15. Snowberry
If he hadn't been killed at the young age of 35 (when he fell into a bull pit on the Big Island of Hawaii), Great Britain might look just like Oregon.
Anyway, they named our tree after him and I think David Douglas is a nice name for it.
Luv
Sissy
Nice tree story, Sissy; I think you are a good teacher!
ReplyDeleteSissy, you are so smart. I always thought Lupine was brought to America from Scotland with the Scotchbroom.
ReplyDeleteWho am I to argue with an iguana... ~D