Morning walkabout surprises

11 years ago

I've been avoiding going out to my new planting area for a few weeks. It's my former horse corral and the last of my beloved lawn ornaments passed on in March, so I decided to put in some trees.

I mail ordered 3 pecan seedlings, put in 3 hackberries, one of my Heritage oak seedlings along with a Tulip tree, 4 ponderosa pines, a couple of Austrian pines and 3 Eastern Red Cedars.

When I last checked a few weeks ago, there was no leafing on any of the deciduous trees. Not good! I didn't figure anything needed watering, lol! Nothing to be done but wait and see.

I've been busy with my daughter's college graduation, the plant swap and my dad's hip replacement surgery. I had a clear slate this morning so I waded out into the grass and mud to take a look. All 3 pecans, 2 of the hackberries and the oak have all leafed out! The tulip tree has buds and green branches, but isn't leafing yet. That one may be a bust.

I came back in with my jeans soaked up over my knees, my shoes and socks squishing and the biggest smile on my face. It's a good day!

Barb

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Comments (4)

mayberrygardener
11 years ago
That's wonderful! I've often wondered if we could pull off a hardy pecan in our area; Mister Mayberry LOVES pecans. We may have to discuss this further, you and I! Glad to hear that you're coping the best way a gardener knows how, what with the loss of your "lawn ornaments." Sorry to hear about that. Hope your father is recovering well?
jaliranchr
11 years ago
Whew! What good news, Barb! Yea for the little victories we are scoring.
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treebarb Z5 Denver
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, mayberry and jali!

Dad is doing very well. Mom got pneumonia just before Dad's surgery, forcing us to chose a short rehab stint for Dad as Mom's in no shape to help care for him at home. That's a relief, but I've spent a lot of time on the road this past week between the hospital, rehab center and their house, trying to do what I can to help. This pesky workin' for a living really interferes with your personal life, lol!

It was awesome to have a morning just to stroll around and see what all this rain has brought. Mushrooms I've never seen before are popping up!

I got my first horse at age 10 and had horses continuously for 44 years. It was a marvelous run and a truly wonderful way to live. I do miss them. What I will not miss is feeding and watering in 20 below in February! The sadness is passing and I'm enjoying having additional planting space now.

The pecans are an experiment. There are some huge pecan trees in Colorado, mostly along stream and river beds. They prefer a moister, more acidic soil than we have but when we flooded in 2013 an incredible amount of well, stuff, got deposited as our property runs along an irrigation canal. It's still not completely dried out from the flood. Seeing how the grass is growing in that area, I thought it might be worth trying them. They are a fussy transplant, so I went with 6 -12 inch seedlings ordered from Oikos Tree Crops in Kalamazoo, Mi. Link below.

They have the potential to get 70 ft tall by 40 ft wide, although I'm not expecting quite that size in our crazy climate. It takes 10 - 15 years to get a crop, maybe longer here, but I'm hoping to taste one. Getting a little ahead of myself, aren't I?

Thanks for the good thoughts and letting me overshare!

Michigan pecan
oakiris
11 years ago
I am still sad to hear about the loss of your horses, Barb; horses were a part of your life for a very long time and I am sure they made it richer. Though there are some things you won't miss about them, such as the early morning feedings, I should imagine it will be a while before the gap is filled.... But, by all means, fill it with plants!

Glad that your new trees, except for the tulip tree, seem to be surviving and hopefully the weather will settle down and everything will start thriving as well! How cool it will be to walk out onto your property to pick some pecans (or hackberries) for a snack!

Holly