Unlike most pines that are familiar to Midwesterners, the Norfolk Island pine is far too tender to plant outdoors in our climate and, in fact, is not a true pine at all. But the good news is that it makes an elegant houseplant when given proper care. It also makes a terrific living Christmas tree; its lush green twigs of soft needles provide a lovely backdrop for festive holiday ornaments. ~ B. Rosie Lerner, Horticulturist, Purdue University
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Sunday, December 18, 2011
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon
Edited by Will Shortz
This Sunday’s acrostic draws a quotation from Lives of the Trees: An Uncommon History by Diana Wells.
The quotation: THE NORFOLK ISLAND PINE… IS MOST OFTEN… SOLD AS A PERFECT LITTLE INDOOR CHRISTMAS TREE. … IF YOU KEEP IT FOR TOO MANY CHRISTMASES YOU MAY HAVE TO MAKE A HOLE IN YOUR CEILING. IN THE WILD IT CAN REACH TWO HUNDRED FEET HIGH.
The author’s name and the title of the work: DIANA WELLS, LIVES OF THE TREES
A. Walk unsteadily, tremble as one moves, DODDER
B. In principle; to a T, IDEALLY
C. Without delay (2 wds.), AT ONCE
D. One who’s a pain in the rear, NUDNIK
E. “Spring” topping on a “four seasons” pizza, ARTICHOKE
F. Add to the conversation (2 wds.), WEIGH IN
G. Beseech, implore, ENTREAT
H. Potential cutback consequence, LAYOFF
I. Crass and ill mannered, Neanderthal, LOUTISH
J. Show with a laugh track, SITCOM
K. Restrained, subdued (hyph.), LOW-KEY
L. Platform for the game Angry Birds, IPHONE
M. Ardent apostle; worshiper, VOTARY
N. Willing to wear another’s shoes, EMPATHIC
O. Bob, prune or crop, SHORTEN
R. Long, serpent like giant of the deep, OARFISH
Q. True-to-life replica, FACSIMILIE
R. Bill with the phrase “We the People” (hyph.), TEN-SPOT
S. Painter of “A Rake’s Progress”, HOGARTH
T. Terrible offense; outrageousness, ENORMITY
U. Representative, as a distinctive mark of a clan or group, TOTEMIC
V. Writer in the style of Tolstoy or Flaubert, REALIST
W. Snarl in a retiary device, ENMESH
X. Ancient name for the Po River, ERIDANUS
Y. Food item whose name literally means “blown up”, SOUFFLE
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Because trees make so many more aspects of our lives possible and pleasurable than we realize, Wells felt compelled to reintroduce us to these miraculous sentries, companions, and providers, entities that make the earth both bountiful and beautiful. Long considered sacred by diverse cultures, trees are crucial in this time of accelerated climate change, thanks to their ability to counteract the deleterious impact of carbon emissions. Trees offer shade, shelter, and quiet; medicine and food; and building materials for everything from houses to books. Trees are wreathed with lore and continue to yield scientific discoveries, yet, Wells observes, “We can even live on a street named for a particular tree and not be able to identify the tree itself.” To rectify this loss of invaluable knowledge, Wells portrays 100 trees, beginning with acacia and ending with yew, in a tree album containing lovely drawings and pithy essays. Cinnamon, ginkgo, “small and spiny” frankincense, mahogany, Osage orange, sycamore—all are succinctly described and celebrated in this warmly informative, fun-to-browse book of colorful tree histories. ~ Donna Seaman, Booklist
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Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
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