{Castanopsis Cuspidata (Japanese Chinquapin) Japanese Shii}

Around mid-April our very special tree, the evergreen Castanopsis cuspidata (Japanese Chinquapin) Japanese shii, started blooming.

You can click the pink hyperlink for information...

This photo is actually from April 26, where it is already in full bloom!

As for its name Japanese Shii, it is related to the famous Shii-take mushrooms

'Shii' is the name of the tree that usually hosts the mushroom. The tree belongs to the Birch family. 'Take' means the mushroom fruit...

Screenshot is taken from: Medical Mushrooms.net just click it.

The above information you can find: Castanopsis cuspidata (Japanese Chinquapin; Japanese shii by clicking on the hyperlink.

There is very limited information about this very special tree.

You can find more here: Castanopsis cuspidata

These are the flowers (catkins?) about mid April as they start opening up.

The tree seems to be related to beech and oak!

Looking somewhat hairy but very special!

This is on April 26, the Japanese Chinquapin is partly seen to the right of the tall 'Magnolia Namnetensis Flore Pleno', so you have an idea where it is.

Now I'm stepping back, across the road for an overview. 
Our Golden Live Oak 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold is partly seen next to the big Magnolia.

Walking back to the Japanese Chinquapin...

Again, these photos are from April 26 and the flowers start already looking dark.

Except for areas with less direct sunlight.

It is a very unusual and exotic looking tree!

Have you ever seen, or heard of this Castanopsis cuspidata, Japanese Chinquapin or Japanese shii?

Hope you enjoyed this introduction!

Thank you for your visit and time.

Related link:

{RARE Icicles in Our Garden} | showing you this Japanese Chinquapin with icicles on!
Castanopsis cuspidata (Thunb.) Schottky | Common names: Japanese tanbark oak; ita-shii (Japanese) and its Pharmaceutical interest

{How Georgia Peanuts get Harvested}

The way we both bike, in the quiet and rural area, it is also quite interesting to observe the different crops growing along the road.

Now the cotton is being seeded and before that, there were Peanuts growing.

From their harvest on October 22, husband Pieter took some photos with his iPhone 4S, which I love to share with my readers.

You can click the pink hyperlink for more info...

The entire world knows peanuts; right?
This is the actual plant and the peanuts grow underground, hence the word groundnut being used in several countries.

But HOW they get harvested is another story...

Here in Georgia, the biggest peanut producing state in the USA, we produce some 2.4 billion pounds annually! 

That's a LOT of peanuts, and lots of that is for export of course.

Here they are harvesting the peanuts.

It is not actually a true nut but a member of the legume family!

That is LOTS of peanuts!

The farmer is leveling out the top...

Of course there is lots of spill on the corners where they turn the machine.

Wildlife will be feasting on them!

A close up...

 Have you ever seen peanut plants on the field or peanuts being harvested?

It is always interesting to be outdoors; so much to see and to learn from.

{Saint Patrick's Cathedral NYC}

When in New York City, you have to bend backwards quite a lot for capturing all the tall buildings. Such was the case for this magnificent Saint Patrick's Cathedral. For United States standards, this is quite an old, historic building. The cornerstone of St. Patrick’s Cathedral was laid in 1858 and her doors swept open in 1879. If you click on the above hyperlink, you can read more about its history.

We were so very lucky on August 28 of 2015 with the weather we had!

Sure, we would love to go back to this marvelous city on an equally beautiful day.

Have you visited New York City?

Thanks for your visits.