I am quite well known for being a keen amateur Tree Planter. Give me a square metre or two of un-used land and I'll have a fruit tree on it as fast as you can say Orange Pippin.
So, I was very pleased to see, yesterday, that the church elders have been Tree Planting. There is one new tree in the Peace Garden, and another five or six in the Churchyard itself. It's not easy to tell what type of trees they are at this time of year; and sadly they have no labels.
However, I suspect that they are mostly Elms. The Churchyard is known for it's survival Elms, and maybe a few more 'treated' ones will ensure their continuation.
On the other side of the church, down by Wykeham Terrace, is this Yew tree; a very classic tree for ancient graveyards. At first I thought it was a Christmas Tree (which would have been nice), but it's too far from the church to be used as such.
Had there been a poll amongst us locals as to what trees should be planted, I would have gone for a Victoria Plum. Wouldn't it be nice in early Autumn to pop down to the graveyard, pick a few Plums, and enjoy a lovely Plum Tatin for supper.
Sadly they don't see things as I do.
A few fruit trees for the birds would be thoughtful. I bet the birds would get there before you though. Here it's always Cypress trees in churchyards and plane trees in the squares as they are excellent for shade
ReplyDeletePlane trees in France too. In fact the expression for having a car accident in French is 'to hit a Plane tree'
DeleteA lot of trees with pink blossoms are being planted here lately. It's just a pity that they bloom for a short time. I think they are called the Juda tree. (In Hebrew, of course, they have a different name.).
ReplyDeleteI know the ones you mean. I've been meaning to plant one for years; lovely trees.
DeleteI never understand why more fruit trees aren't planted generally, by councils etc, they'd be much more useful than ornamentals. I suspect cost comes into it though.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. A few Apples, Pears, and Plums amongst the Lindens and Hornbeams would only add to one's pleasure.
DeleteI was impressed by the long rows of Orange trees growing the length of a lot of the city streets in Seville and Cadiz. The pavements could be a little messy though with all the fallen fruit.
ReplyDeleteI once brought a few oranges back from Marrakech, and made Marmalade. It was very good!
DeleteMy daughter and son-in-law are there now! Sounds quite wonderful. I suggested this for my little town, planting fruit trees about. The immediate response: some people are allergic to bees stings.
DeleteOur local Council has just (for the second time), run a scheme whereby 'free' trees are given to those of us who pay extra to have our garden waste bins emptied.
ReplyDeleteThere were six varieties of tree to choose from...
June Berry (Amelanchier)
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Crab apple (Malus sylvestris)
Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
Wild cherry (Prunus avium)
We chose a June Berry, and our son received a Wild Cherry.
All trees were to be collected yesterday, which caused absolute chaos on our borough's roads, but thousands of new trees will be planted, albeit in private gardens, and that can only be a good thing! X
I have all of those except the June Berry in our garden in France. My favourite is the Spindle Berry.
DeleteA graveyard should be a place of quiet reflection and respect for the dead - not a fruit farm where dog walkers can pick healthy snacks from low hanging branches.
ReplyDelete'Quiet reflection' would only be enhanced by sucking on a ripe Victoria Plum.
DeleteI know YP is trying to be funny. However, on a more serious note, do have an upvote Cro for your reply to him. You may yet enter the calm heaven of meditation. Not least nature and its many offerings and our senses interlinking. Anyway, the dead don't care. They'll be glad of the company.
DeleteThe only thing - and this is a health warning from someone who considers herself the eternal optimist: Beware the snake in paradise or, rather, the little white worm in the plum. It will put you off plums for life. Or at least feed latent paranoia.
U
Having recently heard about what happens inside a FIG, I'm more likely to be put off eating them!
DeleteThe Welsh government is sending a tree out to every household who wants one to plant
ReplyDeleteThis idea seems to be gathering momentum; good for them.
DeleteIt's a good idea, and I hope they plant a few that will give vivid Autumn foliage, to cheer before winter sets in.
ReplyDeleteWe have orange trees in the streets in several areas of town, but once they die they either aren't replaced, or something more "suitable" is planted.
I would love to have an Orange tree, but our climate doesn't allow.
DeletePlanting trees that will outlive us, is optimism for the future.
ReplyDeleteWe plant for our grandchildren. That's what they used to say!
DeleteLovely trees elms when we lived on the outskirts of Wolverhampton thirty odd years ago, we had three elms in our garden - lovely old trees. All died of Dutch Elm Disease and we had to have them felled. It was like losing old friends.
ReplyDeleteThere are some beauties in the churchyard that somehow have survived. Maybe urban trees were more protected.
DeleteCro, I was touched by your lovely tradition of planting a tree for each of your grandsons on their birth. Leaving those trees behind on selling up your property in France would, at least for me, constitute the biggest wrench.
ReplyDeleteU
Most of them are up at the barn's orchard, which my son is now selling. The trees will survive, but others will eat their fruit.
DeleteIn the US, people are being encouraged to replace lawns with orchards. I love my trees. Soon all the flowering trees will be in bloom.
ReplyDeleteWhat can be nicer than picking your own fruit. Our Peaches Plums and Figs are always real favourites; the apples usually over-produce!!!
DeleteJust by looking at the picture , it looks like a fruit tree of some sort....apple by the top shape. U.S. idea.
ReplyDeleteThe first one they planted looked, to me, like a Plum tree, but I'm sure it's not. We'll have to wait and see.
DeleteThey probably envision hordes of people trampling graves and knocking over gravestones to get at all the plums. Elms are a better idea for churchyards.
ReplyDelete