It's hard to harvest at home.

Twenty some odd years ago, Edward and I dug up a hickory seedling on his family’s farm. The foot tall seedling had a six-foot long tap root that fortunately took a turn and didn’t go straight down. We brought it home and heeled it in near the house.

Twenty some odd years ago, Edward and I dug up a hickory seedling on his family’s farm. The foot tall seedling had a six-foot long tap root that fortunately took a turn and didn’t go straight down. We brought it home and heeled it in near the house.

One of the most beautiful of fall trees is the hickory. With leaves the color of slightly browned butter it is quite a standout.

One of the most beautiful of fall trees is the hickory. With leaves the color of slightly browned butter it is quite a standout.

Christmas morning was a magical time for the three McNulty kids who lived on Woodleigh Road in Columbia.

Christmas morning was a magical time for the three McNulty kids who lived on Woodleigh Road in Columbia.

Rudy Mancke helps a listener in Myrtle Beach identify a metallic beetle they found.

Rudy Mancke helps a listener in Myrtle Beach identify a metallic beetle they found.

On today's NatureNotes, Rudy Mancke helps a listener identify a juvenile black racer. While adult snakes of this species are known for their black coloring, young ones can often be multi-colored.