This Amercian Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis,) the third largest in the state of Virginia, grows in the floodplain of the James River in Rockbridge County.  As we approached the tree, Seth exclaimed that the plants growing along the embankment next to it were poison hemlock, which are indeed deadly poisonous.  Evidently, all it takes is the ingestion of a little bit of the fresh plant material to cause death!  We kept Silas away from them!  Our children had a great time running around here despite the deadly vegetation.

(Our tree adventures are inspired by the book, Remarkable Trees of Virginia)

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The drive through Rockbridge County on the way to “Maple Lane” is absolutely gorgeous.  On the day we visited it was unseasonably cool which made it seem like we were in another world all together.  These old maples are really amazing.  According to our copy of Remarkable Trees of Virginia, local residents claim that this avenue of sugar maples (Acer saccharum) was planted more than a century ago.  There were originally about 150 sugar maples along the road, although some have been removed by VDOT over the years due to decline.  Every tree that has been removed has been replaced with a new healthy young sugar maple.

I do believe we’ll have to visit again this fall when the leaves have turned.  There’s also a little yarn shop nearby, called Orchardside Yarn Shop that is really adorable.  It wasn’t open on the day we were in town, so we definitely have to go back!

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