as average as you can get

That's how Sweetgum bark was described on the site I just came across.

The shallowly and irregularly furrowed bark of the Sweetgum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, is about as "average" as a tree bark can get. In fact, it can serve us as our "Standard Bark." When we learn new barks, we can get their characteristics fixed in our heads by noticing how they are different from the Sweetgum's.

So there you have it, the benchmark for bark. Much more distinctive are these two. But nevermind, the Sweetgum's star-shaped leaves that burn with color in fall are anything but average.

I took the photo today while walking down PPW after having a satisfying hide and seek stint with Nora followed by a session of mulch pile climbing. She fits quite nicely behind most trees in the grove below the 9th St. playground. Several of the trees are large enough to void my appearance entirely as well. We find blind hide and seek really fun as well but it does involve frequent spills.

I hear the Park volunteers are being honored tomorrow at 10, I'll be at a skating party at the rink, but would like to express my thanks to anyone and everyone who's given their time to nurturing our amazing treasure.