Trees
We are blessed with a property which has many trees. The house has a row of Cyprus trees along one side which were planted about 100 years ago as a windbreak. Their lifespan is approximately 100 years so some have fallen and limbs continuously cascade as firewood. The most common tree is the eucalyptus which was introduced to California years ago from Australia. These form the bulk of my firewood as their BTU output rivals Oak. We have hundreds of Bay trees and yes, you can pick the leaves for cooking. And there are many Redwoods, some of which date back hundreds of years. They would have been logged save for the fact that they are on an extremely steep slope. Holly, Willow, and Poplar trees are here also.
But our most spectacular tree is our Black Walnut. It is one of the largest of its kind anywhere. The trunk is 25 feet around and I just paced off the periphery: 130 yards. It does produce black walnuts but they are of limited use so we don't harvest them. If we ever have to sell this place I hope and pray that the tree remains.
Our other Walnut tree was here when we moved in, age unknown. It is an English Walnut and produced the largest walnuts we have ever seen. They were so spectacular we entered them in the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and won a blue ribbon. Slowly the tree deteriorated and then woodpeckers moved in and every single nut had a hole on top and no nutmeat. We loved that tree but finally this year it is totally dead. It must be cut down but nostalgia has kept me from doing it.
R I P
Trees, like humans, have a lifespan. The peach tree which was here already 35 years ago has been incredibly productive with the best white-fleshed peaches I've ever tasted. It was hit by several diseases including cytospora gummosus canker which is incurable. I kept it going for years by pruning off the bad limbs but now this is all that's left.
Thank you for all the peaches.
We should get about 30 peaches this year. Next year, who knows?
From trees to flowers. Mrs. side pocket grows Amaryllis in the garden and greenhouse and brings up the best ones for a display near our from door. Thank you dear, much appreciated.
It's been a cold and foggy day here; a pleasure to sit in front of the woodstove. Quite a contrast to the high temperatures of a few days ago. Hope everyone's day went well.
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