While we were at Pactola Lake this weekend, I took a moment to scratch off a little bark & sniff this tree. This particular one smelled like strawberries. I haven't done this in years. It was delightful.
If you're not familiar with this practice, the idea is that you scrape off just a little bit of outer bark, just sort of flaking it off with your fingernail, until you get to that pinkish layer underneath. Then you sniff it, and it can smell like strawberry, vanilla or chocolate. I remember doing this a lot as a kid.
Have you ever done this? Do you still do it? Have you never heard of this and just think I'm crazy? Let me know in the comments.
During particularly dry times, especially in arid areas like New Mexico (I suppose SD would qualify ;) ) and during the monsoon season, sometimes you don't even have to scratch off any bark. In NM and in at least parts of Nebraska they remind me of butterscotch. Never smelled strawberry before. Thanks for the memories, I haven't done this in some time myself!!!
ReplyDelete