A Kids Tree
During my youth kids were required to pass through a tree climbing phase
as part of the transition from being a kid to becoming a teenager.
Not
just any old tree would do of course.
The majestic oak was always a tower of strength
but the limbs were too high up for it to be a good climbing tree.
Likewise, the tall pecan trees that grew in our yard would have required
a chain of ladders just to make it to the first limb.
Back toward the center of our property grew a very beautiful Sweet Bay
Magnolia (Magnolia Virginiana) tree.
The leaves were bright green with
an almost wax appearance in the sunshine. Inside the green foliage it
was very easy to climb right to the center trunk where numerous low
hanging limbs were perfect for any size kid.
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White Oak
The White Oak tree, Quercus alba, is a great majestic long-lived tree that will last for generations. It is an excellent wildlife source of food mass in the form of acorns. This deciduous shade tree has moderate water requirements and has a moderate tolerance to salt and alkali soils. Does best on deep, moist, well-drained, acid soils.
This tree grows at a moderate pace. The White Oak is pyramidal in youth and then develops broad crown with age. The dense foliage is bluish-green, to reddish-brown in fall. The White Oak is the tree from which the phrase "The Mighty Oak" was coined.
It is an excellent specimen tree needing plenty of room to mature properly. Advantages of the White Oak are that they are easily transplanted when young and they have a high resistance to ice breakage and oak wilt. They require very little maintenance.
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It was so much fun to make the criss-cross climb
across the various tree branches winding my way up as close as possible
to the top. Inside the foliage, cool air rustling the leaves was the
only sound heard on a summer's midday.
The beautiful, fragrant magnolia
flower blooms were always a special treat in March and April. Only a kid
knew that the best views of the flowers were from an inside tree limb
looking out towards the sun.
Of course for total climbing pleasure this kid of leisure would usually
choose the fig tree. With its very low entry point from the ground,
right away you're sitting half-way up in the middle of the tree.
Our fig tree limbs formed a natural cradle
allowing me to lay back with arms outstretched and relax just as well as
any hammock. When the figs were in season it was a real treat just to
reach out and grab a handful to snack on.
Fairly often it became necessary to share the fig
tree with passing birds because in choosing between fear of humans and
the taste of ripe figs they always managed to be courageous.
Parents if you have the space to grow trees make sure your kids get to
enjoy the wonderful pleasures of tree climbing. It will bless them with
lifelong memories.
For additional tree information visit:
http://www.vanursery.com where
over 160 trees are described along with photographs.
Author: Jason Canon
© Peach ePublishing, LLC
About the author:
In addition to being a passionate gardener Jason Canon has authored
numerous technical research papers including: photonic switching,
gigabit networking, VoIP/E9-1-1, and others.
Email:
jmc@canon.org.
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