An ice-encased set of green tree leaves offers a beautiful spectacle of natural artwork, painted in part by the gravity that pulled leaves down as ice deepened and icicles extended, causing them to bend into claw shapes. Leaves still on trees are bad news in an ice storm; they supply far more ice weight to a tree than when branches are bare, and as we saw with this event, bust many of them apart with “modest” accumulations that would cause little harm later in the cold season. This nonnative mimosa was more flexible than most other trees, and lost few branches. Other tree types on this lot, native or not (sycamores, sweetgums, pecans, and walnuts in particular) fared far worse. Less than 30 feet away and simultaneously, ice beads festooned a well-constructed spider web. Little treasures of wonder can be found in small areas, with open eyes and the desire to seek.
Norman OK (27 Oct 20) Looking W