There is nothing so pretty as Washington State in the spring and summer (or autumn and winter). In spring and early summer the trees bloom - and they are everywhere. We live at the top of a very high hill and on the way down into town we have a huge panoramic view of the city - and most of it is trees with a few housetops showing amongst the trees.
The Horse Chestnut Trees are in full bloom - some white and some newer varieties, like this hot pink one.
On Chestnut Street, downtown, you will find both the white and the pink Chestnut trees lining the street for blocks. Be careful in the autumn, while walking under the trees you might get conked on the head as the chestnuts fall with a mighty thud.
The Hawthorn trees are everywhere and the scent is fabulous. Bees love them - and in the autumn, birds will feast.
And if you should be lucky enough to come across a Jacaranda tree, you will feel like you are visiting the fairies that surely live in these lovely trees.
They bloom in glorious, long trumpet flowers before the leaves come out. We came across this one in the woods, not near any houses and were not sure how it got there. Perhaps a house used to be there, perhaps a bird planted it. There is a massive one down by the Bellingham Ferry Terminal building, but over the years it has suffered wind damage and much of it has had to be pruned away to be safe - but the flowers are still fabulous.
Double Flowering Peach trees line many streets and driveways in our town. There is pink "snow" for weeks.
Dogwood trees bloom in yards, along neighborhood streets and in the woods in early spring.
Bayview Cemetery is awash in Dogwood blossoms .
And the pink Dogwood shines even on cloudy days.
Golden Chain trees are among the first to bloom each year - their scent is as pretty as their flowers. Someday I shall have one.
There is a small walnut orchard on the way to Mt. Baker that blooms gloriously each year.
What kind of blossoming trees grow in your area? I'd love to see photos of them.
