Nature's Wrath

We have been warned about a huge storm after the heat wave coming our way in fact coming from way out West.Theresa and I had some chores to finish before the Birthday party on Sunday and I was in a hurry up mode.We finished our shopping and with one eye on the sky and one on the road I drove into our yard. I expected the storm to explode but it did not happen.

Theresa and I were discussing some details in my basement room when the lights went out. I mean the sun was covered with dark clouds and we raced upstairs. Taking loose objects into the garage and covering our deck chairs took only a minute but right on signal the wind came.

Rain, torrential rain and gusts of wind up to 75 km per hour made it impossible to see across the street. Lightening and thunder shook our house and gave us a great light show. For half an hour our world was in Mother Natures hands. Theresa looked out the window and announced that our young maple split down the middle.

It fell right on my tomatoes and beans. It was night so I decided to wait until the morning to assess the damage. I awake at 5.30 and looked out the window and saw the mess. My garden was covered with the branches of the tree. The maple was 6 years old and 35 feet tall but since it grew so quickly it had little strength. The wind just tore t apart.

I got outside some time after 6am and tried to be quiet so I used my swede saw. I cleared away all of the branches and cut up the heavier limbs. I managed to salvage the tomatoes or at least some of them and the beans that I had growing up to 8 feet on a trellis. Everything turned out OK and I am thankful that the damage was only a reminder of what could have been.

Bismark Tree

Back when Hurricane Charlie ripped through the Cape it caused untold destruction. For us there was no real damage to our home except for a few screens on our pool cover and some trees. We had a most beautiful bougainvillea on our front lawn. It covered an area of about 100 square feet and had brilliant red colour. It was ripped from its roots.

Theresa and I decided to plant a tree which would be a signature tree for our front landscaping. We took our time and after much consideration decided on a Bismarker. This is a sturdy palm with a bluish-grey-green colour. It would withstand the hurricane force and grow quite quickly.

Little did we know that this 5 year old tree would reach a height of 20 ft. and have branches or frowns weighing almost a hundred pounds. From a three frown tree in a one gallon pot to this so quickly amazed us. We do love it and it is easy to maintain it but maintain it you must. When we arrived here in October we had to saw off 9 branches. Each branch was 14 feet long and the composition of the branch is like hardwood.

It is a good idea when planting anything here to think what it will be like in five years. This tree will reach a height of 40 feet in 10 years so we shall have some time to enjoy it.

Cherry Time Again

When Doris bought us a cherry tree for our anniversary five years ago I never thought we would be blessed with such an abundance of fruit. There are four kinds of cherries on this tree which now stands taller than our home. I actually pick many of the cherries while standing on the roof of our home.

Most of the fruit is of the large yellow type. Excellent for eating or preserving. Its greatest use is fattening up the blackbirds. On the day I plan to pick I must get all I wish as the birds take over. They glean the trees clean in short order. Since today is picking day we are fortunate that the birds have not come in numbers to fill their crops.

We get enough fruit for many families and I extend a welcome to my family and friends to come pick all you wish. We make cherry jam, my favourite, jelly and freeze bags for pies and baking. They freeze well and last year we were able to use the frozen fruit until we retreated to Florida. We are happy with the crop and it will make up for the no show of apples. Our apple trees were full of blossoms but too early as they never got pollinated.We have one little apple on one tree and a handful on the other. Well next year it will be better.

For today I have to try to put some of the picked cherries in the pot and not in my mouth. They are so tempting. Mother nature delivered again and we are thankful.

Found Treasure

Theresa and I had to visit the green house and purchase several trees to replace the ones killed by the frost this winter. Later that day we were having our evening bicycle ride when we came across a discarded flower pot which contained a variety of ferns and a philodendron. This find would be worth nearly a hundred dollars at the nursery.

We went home and came back with the van to capture this treasure and make it part of our landscaping. With a little care the old soil was removed and the flowers and tree replanted to grow in harmony with our other flora.

This was not the first find we made as people discard many plants and trees which can be nurtured back to good health. We have rescued many and have offered many to people who wish to share. Often at yard sales you will see surplus flowers and trees given away for free. Our yard in Ontario is filled with plants given to us by neighbours and family. What a good way of getting a gift that lasts . Theresa's mother gave us trees for gifts on our anniversary and now she can view and enjoy the fruit from these trees.

Many garden clubs have regular exchanges among members to broaden their inventories of plants. Every time you plant a living tree or flower you are helping to keep our planet green.