“Life is lived forward, but understood backwards.”
Kierkegaard
It seemed so small when I first brought it home, almost spindly. It fit in my little Honda Civic hatchback, and I think it was only in a 5 gallon pot. I was in love, deeply, dearly, in love.
I had researched it’s beautiful foliage ranging from copper, and auburn, to golden yellows. My Parrotia persica,[Persian Ironwood tree], was to be the cornerstone of my little condo deck garden. In my mind it would be gracefully shading the ferns, and it’s arching branches would spread carefully, but not invasively. It would grow happily until I found the perfect house, and then it would easily move to my new garden.
The harsh reality is this tree has outgrown every pot available to it. It is now squished into a half oak barrel, and hating every moment. It’s time to find a new home for my beloved Parrotia tree, and that’s where things start to get difficult.
We need to find three strong men, just to pick up this tree. And it will be a challenge to transfer it to the top of the brick half wall that surrounds the patio, and then carefully load it onto a dolly. All the time, not damaging the branches that have determinedly grown past the floor of the condo above us. That is over 15 feet. I am not sure that three strong men will be enough. Will the brick wall hold? Will they damage the tree? Will I be able to wave goodbye to my baby?
A garden should always be a work in progress. We learn from our mistakes challenges, and are always looking forward to the next interesting development. My biggest mistake was thinking that a tree growing to 50 feet tall, and 30 feet wide, would fit into a small pot forever. And when the realization came that it was outgrowing it’s pot, not doing something about it.
After all, I’m a gardener, I should have known better!
So now I must search out at least three strong men, sweet talk them into a forming a impromptu moving crew, all the while begging them not to damage the branches.
Because my baby needs a new home, and I need to get out there house hunting.
Jen
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Okay I thought you were going to have pictures of 3 strong men here....I think that was false advertising Jen.
ReplyDeleteAre you selling it or giving it away? I have a friend who is a landscaper who probably has the means to move it.
I don't think I have ever seen a Perian Ironwood Tree. It sounds special.
ReplyDeleteOh phew... I was so worried you were going to give away the tree. But if you're going to find a house with a garden it can grow in - then yippee!
ReplyDeleteLike children, growing right before your eyes-- and you kind of take that forgranted sometimes. Before you know it they're taller than you are and ready to move out! Good luck with deciding what you'll do with it/where you'll put it. Are you seriously considering a move in the near future? Sounds like you've been saving this lovely tree for just the right spot in the ground. I hope you will be able to make your dreams come true/plans come to fruition, Jen;-)
ReplyDeleteOh Jen, I think about you and how you need some land of your own. Your gardens and yard would/will be beautiful...good luck finding three strong men that will be delicate with your baby.
ReplyDeleteYou can have three of mine. *smile*
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet Jen, I am so sorry. i had a schefflera that started in a 6 inch pot and after years of growing was too large to move out of the corner so the Christmas tree could live there for a month. We finally put her on her side in the back of the pickup and drove across town, protecting her from the breezes of a moving vehicle and gave her to someone with vaulted ceilings. It was so hard to part with it. It had become part of the family by then.
ReplyDelete~a
My beauty Parottia does have a good home to go to. Turf Toter, [my sister] and Tim the Farmer will probably [hopefully] be taking it up to Armstrong in the back of their pickup.
ReplyDeleteI think that we do have the man power lined up, now it is just a matter of logistics. Gar has been measuring, and plotting, we think that it will squeeze through the gate. Keep your fingers crossed....
My Baby is moving out!
Jen
Jen, I also was expecting to see photos of 3 strong men? :) So sad to read about your Parrotia persica. Lots of luck in moving it out to Armstrong.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you find a good home for your tree. I think all gardener's have a blind spot for at least one plant in their garden :^)
ReplyDeleteAt least you have a home for it to go to. I'm assuming it's too large to prune to keep it more compact? It sounds like a determined young tree, at least! I'm sure it will do well wherever it settles. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it is a universal gardener thing or not, but I often should have known better, too!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find your three or more strong men!
Cheryl
Jen, it is so sad when your baby has grown up and is leaving home, maybe time for a new one!
ReplyDeleteI wish I were closer. I would give it a home on the farm.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is hard to let the beloved plant go, it will be a joy to see it flourishing in its new home. I always feel so sad to see a plant wanting more room. I worked in a nursery too.
ReplyDeleteWhat were you thinking! You must have a fairly green thumb to have kept it going this long. I hope it moves well..I would transport it lying down:)
ReplyDeleteYou are right that we learn from our mistakes Jen! Good luck getting that pot over your wall! Hope those strong men have good backs! I am sure you will miss the presence of this lovely ironwood! Hopefully your sister will take it so you can visit! ;>)
ReplyDeleteI love the quote at the top of the post, so true! I hope you can safely move your baby to it's new home, it sounds like a big job. I wonder how fast it will grow when it's in the ground?
ReplyDeleteJen, Glad to know that Parrotia has a new home~gail
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