A Walk Down Warren Street--- Part Two:                            600 & 500 blocks

The first notable tree is an ornamental pear ( probably a Callery pear), which bear inedible tiny and hard fruit, eaten by birds once frost sets in. Callery pear's main asset is its beautiful spring flowers; however, the loveliness is offset in some varieties by an odor which I will not describe further, except to call it embarrassing.  This tree's popularity among urban landscapers is also explained by its neat habit (it grows fairly short and narrow) and willingness to tolerate bad soil and poor drainage.  Yet there are further drawbacks: Callery pear rarely lives past 25 years, and is susceptible to ice damage.  This photo was taken near 621 Warren;  another specimen is across the street near the De Marchin store. 

Callery pear: an embarrassing odor?

A Walk Down Warren Street---Part One 800/700 block

Let's face it:  Hudson isn't an oasis of urban forestry. As matters stand now, it'll never be Tree City USA. Most of its north side is so scandalously bare of trees that one is faintly surprised to come across mere bushes and shrubs.  Yet, for the arborist, Hudson has its attractions.  Recently ( after searching for weeds on Union Street) I've been exploring plant life on Warren Street and have made some interesting discoveries.  
     In the 800 block, one of the first major trees I encountered is a southern species near the limit of its range.  Northern Catalpas (Catalpa speciosa) abound in the lower elevations of Columbia County; the specimen near the corner of Warren & Worth is a real showstopper. Mid-June, I photographed it in bloom: