Old hickory tree succombs in part to last year’s freeze
Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/wrvn/News/3844/
From “ Winnie the Pooh, ” by A. A. Milne: “ The sun had come back over the Forest, bringing with it the scent of May. ”
To see a world in a grain of sand:
The leaves slowly emerge: in bouquets at the ends of the spindly limbs, in ruffled groups along the thick-armed limbs, and not at all on the side of our hickory tree which has died. The north trunk of this double-tree has finally put out some buds and leaves, but the twigs snap clean on the south trunk and are dry and dead inside.
Last year’s late and extended freeze wreaked havoc on our old hickory. It just couldn’t withstand the stress. We have waited this whole year to see if this tree would survive, giving it the same time to recover that was recommended for all those who were nipped in their buds last spring.
The crape myrtles are growing back from the roots. Quite a bit of our catalpas, the rain trees, and the flowering shrubs seem as if they will grow back. Our fruit trees, which we had written off some years ago to the deer, horses and the elements, bloomed more fully this year than I ever remember.
The nut trees are not doing as well. Soon we will have to decide what to do; give up the whole tree for the side that has died or try to remove the dead part.
This tree is half of the shade which cools and shelters some of the best sitting spots in our yard. It took thirty or forty years to reach its current size, maybe longer. Taking it down will mean no shade in that area of the yard for perhaps the rest of our lives, considering how long it takes for things to grow in the Ozarks. It’s a difficult thing to face for this old girl who was raised in the shade of gigantic 100-year old oaks of the rich Ouachita Forest. I need trees, especially ones taller than I am. I need trees I can’t put my arms all the way around. I need trees which shade the sun and usher the breezes through un airconditioned, space-heatered houses whose windows are open in the summer and whose curtains are pulled wide apart in the winter to let in the sun filtering through the branches.
Barbara Perry Lawton is author of “ Seasonal Guide to the Natural Year: A Month By Month Guide to Natural Evenits in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. ” This natural history guidebook is a real joy both as a reference and simply to read through. May’s topics include bats, prairie plants, and the evening and night sounds of Spring. It was
published in 1994, which is when I purchased my copy. I have used and reread it regularly.
So, I was surprised to find a section I didn’t remember reading,
entitled “ The Green Lull. ” Listen to the rhythm and beauty of her words as she describes a recurring event of the season.
“ The woodland wildflowers have had their day and are quietly fading away on the forest floor. Many of them will disappear above the ground... the tubers and bulblets... have stored up the nutrients they need for next season’s growth, bloom and seed development. Before the tree leaves emerge, the wildflowers of the hardwood forest floor rush to expand their foliage so that by means of photosynthesis they can manufacture the simple carbohydrates they need for their
existence.
“ Deciduous trees have finished blooming and are setting their seeds. This is the time in the woods often called the green lull - the time when the leaves of deciduous trees become fully developed and the light dappled shade of early spring is replaced by the denser shade of summer. The direct light that does reach the forest floor at this time is sparse and lasts only a short time in any given spot. ”
Take the opportunity to walk into a woodland around you (we still have areas which qualify for that description, both in and out of towns. )
Experience the “ light dappled shade of early spring” as it quickly changes to the denser summer shade. It only lasts “ a short time in any given spot” so take advantage of it. And give thanks for the moment.
Look it up:
Cynthia Rylant has written a book, “ Bless Us All: Year book of Blessings, ” in which each month is celebrated in poem and prayer.
“ MAY: Bless the buds that bloom each spring, / Bless the birds who come to sing, / Bless the little sleepyheads, / And the pets beside their beds. ”
Amen and Amen.