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| Rank growth of trumpet creeper vines obscures the trunk of an old Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii). Vines so thoroughly cling to the tree that folks who are unaccustomed to studying trees might not be able to distinguish vine from tree. |
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| What's a vine, and what's a tree? The green leaves are young trumpet creeper vines. The light-colored bark belongs to a very thick, old trumpet creeper vine. And the dark gray bark belongs to the Shumard oak. |
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| The established trumpet creeper vine is more than three inches across. If the vines are so healthy, where are all of the pretty trumpet flowers? |
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| Most of the trumpet flowers are way up high, entwining the Shumard's branches. From time to time our summer thunderstorms blow a few flowers loose, scattering the bright orange gems on the ground below. |
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| Trumpet creeper flowers are three inches long, and the widest end is about two inches across. |
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| Migratory humming birds are known to enjoy these pretty flowers. |
