Populus nigra ‘Italica’) in Victoria Park, Cardiff, in August
I’m sure we were expecting a mini heatwave in South Wales this month but instead August has been cool and mainly wet.
The light rain did ease off enough for me to visit the Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’) in Cardiff’s Victoria Park this week.
Nothing much changes in mid summer but I was able to take some general views and found some details to photograph.
Here are my pictures…
A rare view of the whole tree – it’s impossible to fit in unless I turn the camera sideways
Branches overhanging the street outside the park
The park fence
The maple/sycamore at the base continues to survive
A broken bough seen previously but it still attracts my attention
Looking up
A man beats a hasty retreat after I saw his dog peeing against my beloved tree
Light leaves against dark, wet bark
Thistle down caught in a cobweb
Lichen the colour of verdigris – possibly Lepraria?
Single leaves growing out of a burr
Dead leaves on the ground
You can find my previous Lombardy poplar postings here…
See you again in September…
The Squirrelbasket 
Good to see the whole tree – the trunk has quite a twist to it, doesn’t it?
Did you Grrr at the man and his dog?
Like you we were awaiting a mini heatwave over in Cornwall – still waiting!
And as usual you have been brilliant at spotting the small details on your tree. Love the thistledown, and that gorgeous grey-green lichen.
Thanks for your kind comments.
It’s now a week later and yes, we are still waiting for that heatwave.
I expect it’s especially crowded down in Cornwall with new staycationers this year…
Best wishes š
It’s a wonderful looking tree, especially with that unusual twisted truck. The lichen looks similar to that on my hornbeam. xx
Yes, I always think of the trunk as “sinewy”.
It’s amazing how much lichen there is around, yet we learn the names of so few species…
All the best š
The tree’s looking great. As you say, not much change this month but good to see some wider shots!
Thanks. It’s sad that summer is so boring!
All the best š
Hello Pat. Great to see the entire treeāimpressive with the twisted trunk and the fairly upright branches coming off. Congratulations on rain … or maybe you’ve had enough? We finally got a nice pour yesterday evening š
I thought we had rain for a week but it must have been very light and drizzly as I still had to water my hydrangeas.
But yesterday we also had some good, heavy rain.
I’m glad you are getting some refreshment now, too…
All the best š