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One Year in the Life of a Tree
1. We fell in love with our farm in January. One of the the reasons for our infatuation was the crabapple tree, planted smack in front of the house. We don't know who planted it or when, but its shape is lovely, its location perfect.
In February the days are short, but when we wake, we can tell that many visitors love our tree also. The squirrels and birds and rabbits leave their prints in the snow. Sometimes we see wild turkeys here as well. They are looking for remaining apples to eat.
Come March the tree is covered with new fallen snow. This month can be both cruel and beautiful. As the weather becomes warmer the ice on the pond begins to melt.
The birds are quite hungry in April and gather round not just for seed in the feeders but for the fermented crabapples that remain. Sometimes they get quite drunk! The mourning doves feed off seeds fallen to the snow and the robins return.
The warm weather of May brings out the leaf and flower buds very quickly. At the same time the tulips return and the bees buzz. The spring birds are delightful against the tree's purple foliage: the goldfinches, the indigo buntings, the cardinals. How many bird love stories has this tree heard?
By the time June arrives with its lush flowers, the crabapple has lost its blooms and begins to turn more green. It looks like a huge parasol!
The lilies are in bloom in July and the tree is heavy with foliage and the beginnings of the season's fruit. It is handsome, but not centre stage.
August is more subdued in the garden. If there is enough rain, everything is a lush green. The crabapple has hints of purple though.
September tells us that Fall is coming. The hues are of gold and rust and copper. This is when the apples are ripening and turning bright red.
Come October we begin to have frosty mornings. It is fun to gaze at the form of the tree from indoors now. The binoculars are on the table, and we see the return of the autumn birds: the geese in V formation, the juncos, more hawks. The goldfinches are now more gray than gold.
The temperatures have dropped in the daytime now that it is November. Soon there will be snow. The brown leaves are falling and we chop them with the mower and use them to protect perennials after the ground has frozen. Some years I add more white tulip and narcissus bulbs near the base of the tree. The red crabapples will soon be the only decoration left on the tree.
In December the tree is quite bare. It is time to celebrate though, and so we have added small bright lights for a festive atmosphere. We keep the feeder up all year round and hope the feathered ones celebrate with us.
Think Like a Tree, by Karen I. Shragg
Soak
up the sun.
Affirm life's magic.
Be graceful in the wind.
Stand tall after a storm. Feel
refreshed after it rains. Grow strong
without notice. Be prepared for each season.
Provide shelter to strangers. Hang tough through a
cold spell. Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky. Be still long
enough
to hear
your
own
leaves
rustling.
Written by
Gardenbug
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