When the last leaves fall, deciduous trees reveal their character and history in trunks and branches, silhouetted against the winter sky.

 

Crowded, self-sown sycamores grow in a zig-zag thicket as each tree tries to find its way towards the light – December 2020
On the Berwick ramparts the sycamores have room to grow tall and strong – December 2020
Silhouetted against a clear sky, an old hedgerow oak shows the characterful branching pattern of its species – December 2016
Above a Spittal back alley a sallow (or pussy willow) shows a thicket of tall, straight stems regrown after coppicing – December 2021
Seen from a train travelling east from Lyon, a line of pollarded poplars stand out against the distant mountains – December 2016
Sun and shadow highlight a plantation of larch trees on the North York Moors – December 2016

 

Christmas lights can look very pretty in the bare branches of a deciduous tree but evergreens hold on to something of their old magic as a symbol of life in the short days of winter.

 

A pocket-sized Christmas tree in our rue St-Jacques flat – December 2017
Christmas trees in the Shambles, York – December 2015
The main town Christmas tree, outside York’s Guildhall – December 2015
Town hall trees – Paris 5e – December 2017
Pantheon trees, Paris 5e – December 2017
A grove of Christmas trees in Place Dauphine – Paris 1e – December 2017

 

Tina’s theme for the Lens-Artists’ Challenge #178 is You Choose.  As trees are a recurring subject in Beyond the Window Box they seemed an appropriate choice but Christmas trees had to make room for some other winter trees as well.