Leaves

By the time you reach my age almost everything brings back a memory. This catalpa tree did that for me recently. 

There were catalpa trees in the side strip on 5th Street by Chester and Doris Geer's (Lukens Funeral Home during our childhood). We called it the cigar tree because of the long, narrow seed pods. 

At some point in our school careers, we had to collect leaves for a science project. Not many people knew about the catalpa trees.

We heard through the grapevine (older kids who knew the drill - and where the trees were), that there was a special tree in the Coil's front yard on Elm Street - supposedly the only one of its kind in town. I think it was a red gum tree.

Ginkgo leaves were unusual. Quite a few of these trees were planted on the school grounds. I wonder if they are still there. Maple, elm, and oak leaves were easy to find. 

Do any of you remember that we put the leaves between pieces of wax paper and then ironed the wax paper?