A family of trees
Cindy on April 27th, 2009
“I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do,” — Willa Cather, O Pioneers
Environmentalist Maria Rodale wrote that people who live near trees have stronger family ties than those who live in treeless areas. âTrees create a sanctuary around us,â Rodale noted in an essay for Organic Style. âThey certainly make us feel grounded and safe.â
I know exactly what Rodale meant. On the boulevard across the street from my home, a trio of Bradford pear trees is ready to burst into snowy bloom. Surrounded by smaller stands of lilac, the pear trees are typically the first to flower. I look forward to their annual display in late April and early May — and I’m always relieved when I return from spring vacation to see I haven’t missed it. While it might not seem like such a big deal to anyone else, I’m proud of this contribution to my neighborhood landscape.
My little grove began with a single tree, which I ordered from the City of Royal Oak the first spring in our present home. In subsequent years I added two more Bradford pears. Today, everyone in our immediate family is represented by a flowering tree. And like the three of us, each tree has filled out over the past 16 years — a natural reminder of how quickly we’re all changing. My son was in kindergarten when the first spindly Bradford pear tree was planted; around this time last year he graduated college. Like every mom I know, I often repeat the sentimental cliche: Where did all those years fly?
Come fall, the foliage on our pear trees will turn bright orange, then crimson. And just as I do every year, I’ll admire the color show from our dining room window and console myself with the fact that everything, including the local landscape, is evolving right on schedule. – Cindy La Ferle
– Parts of this post were excerpted from my essay collection, Writing Home (copyright 2005) –
April 27th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
There is a certain affirmation in that image. The cycle of your pear trees, which can be seen as a poignant passing of time, is instead seen so positively, knowing that though seasons and years pass, on a very basic level, all is right with the world. A nice perspective to remember.
April 27th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
My street is lined with apple and cherry trees which have been blossoming wildly the last couple of weeks. One magical day last week I was out walking in brilliant sunshine when it was also very windy. The blossoms were blown off the trees and the petals fell around me like snow. I felt as if I was in some kind of movie!
April 27th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Beautifully written!
I love this line: “And like the three of us, each tree has filled out over the past 16 years — a natural reminder of how quickly we’re all changing.”
I live in a very urban environment — at least my view is an urban streetscape. Yet I’m lucky that the top of a large, full tree seems to burst from the building I’m facing. I can hear the birds chirping in that tree in the mornings now and it’s very soothing.
April 27th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Bradford pears are so lovely in the fall, one of my favorite trees. But, for some reason I can’t imagine them in bloom here in Texas. Do we have different varieties? Hmmmph.
Cindy, my blog post on Sherrie’s book is up!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Beautiful, Cindy,
There is a Bradford pear outside my office window and she is in full flower right now. They are beautiful trees. And how lovely you planted your trees in honor of loved ones!
April 28th, 2009 at 6:38 am
That sounds so lovely and what a great idea! I know just what you mean- I hate when spring vacation comes and I miss any of the briefest of seasons here. We have wild cherry trees and a crabapple, as well as Lilacs, that I’m excited to see coming along!
April 29th, 2009 at 1:16 am
I was all set to comment that “when we stay in touch with nature and see her cycles progressing, we know that all’s right with the world” … but I see that Joanne beat me to it
. Seriously, though, with all that’s going on in the world right now, that’s not an insignificant thing to be reminded of.
The two apple trees in my front yard are covered with white blossoms, and the Italian plum trees won’t be far behind. My neck of the woods is a major cherry-producing region; orchards full of pink blossoms are everywhere.
April 29th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I like the image of trees as indicators of the passage of time. For his first Father’s Day, just after I learned I was pregnant, I bought my husband a Crimson King Maple that was a little taller than he was. Thirty years later that tree in the front yard, of what is now my first child’s house, is 40 feet tall, strong, and beautiful. A cycle of life indeed.