I think this is my favorite tree in Bishop:

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Every year this ash tree has the most amazing display. I stopped yesterday and took a picture. I'm not alone. Today while driving under it I noticed a photographer down the street getting a shot and another car slowing down to take a good look at this impressive tree.

Ashes aren't a popular tree anymore in this area, but I think specimens like this really show how well adapted they are to our area. The primary complaint I usually hear about ashes is their roots get in the way. A lot of that has to do with how we manage our landscape irrigation since most trees, including many kinds still planted in Bishop like maples, do that with frequent shallow water.

If you look closely, this tree is thriving near a street, where a substantial part of its drip line, which normally represents most of a tree's root zone, is paved under Yaney Street. On its other side there was a house that was recently torn down, also restricting root growth. 

I'm always impressed by trees like this one, that even with less than perfect conditions, are still showstoppers.

It's also worth mentioning that part of the reason this tree is so majestic, is that it hasn't been topped or abused by angry chainsaws.

There are many factors that are working against this beautiful tree, yet there it is, a reliable sign that fall has arrived.