Every yard has its mysteries. Some mysteries remain for years.

In my current yard in Mesa, Ariz., I have a couple of deciduous trees that seem to be volunteers–not clear yet what they are.

During my brief time in Kansas City, I was reacquainted with backyard power lines. It had been a long time since I lived in a place with above ground power lines. Haven’t had to worry about trees that were planted in the wrong place for *that* reason. There were a few trees in the back yard that required power company intervention. No idea what they were–but the are nekkid as a jaybird in the winter. They dropped leaves and most of their branches in the fall. Never seen anything quite like it. And the giant tree in the front yard: no idea what it was either. Also a very pretty vine with pink flowers. Mystery. I was a gekko out of sand in my Midwest garden.