[LMB] Magnolias

[Mark Allums]

Apropos of Magnolias...

...It occurred to me today that I lived in locations that had both 
Southern magnolias, and a deciduous magnolia.  The deciduous tree 
escaped my memory at first, because I was thinking of the great, green 
trees.  However, we also had at one time an interesting tree, which we 
called a "tulip tree".  It lost its leaves in the fall, and was rather 
pitiful-looking.  However, it was the very first thing to bloom in the 
spring, even before the daffodils and jonquils.  It would bloom like a 
fruit tree, with great, big pink blossoms shaped like any magnolia 
blossom, sort of reminiscent of a tulip, but the tree had no leaves at 
all.  It was a bit cheering, and my Dad would note the appearance of the 
blooms in February, with the statement that "Spring is virtually here!" 
  (That is a catchphrase of his, which he starts saying in December.)

--Mark Allums