I think you all know that I’m obsessed with planting trees here. Not only do I love trees. I think they are majestic and beautiful… I also hate being hot. I love shade.
Since our home in Paso is on a hill (amazing 360 views) and a previous cattle ranch (where they cut down all the oaks) and in direct sunlight all the time (don’t get me started…), I set in motion the plan to create shade in every possible location.
Over the past two years, I have planted more than 80 trees. This delights me because I love to feed them and watch them thrive (kinda like my horses).
This is one of the first trees I planted just over 2 years ago.
RIGHT NOW, I HAVE A LITTLE TREE…
Right now, I have a little tree that is struggling.
I either planted it in the wrong spot, or it was unhealthy… but I decided to move him this Spring, before he budded. We dug a hole for him and then carefully dug him out of his area, where he had been for over 2 years. (He was one of the first trees I had planted. He came as a dormant slip from one of those mail-order tree catalogs.)
This Spring, he budded like a maniac and I was thrilled. However, his leaves were not as big as his relatives here. I have several Sycamores, and his leaves are 50% smaller than the other trees – all planted after him.
Anyway, he budded like a maniac and all was fine.
Then we left for Wyoming and didn’t realize that the dogs had eaten through this tree’s drip line. So, he got no water for 12 days.
THEN HE LOOKED LIKE THIS:
Then, my little tree looked like this – totally dead. No water, in hot sun, for 12 days.
YES, HE LOOKS dead. All the brown leaves have fallen and he is a sick looking twig. Hubby said that this little tree was done.
I WAS SO UPSET… I DECIDED TO DEFY APPEARANCES.
I was so upset to lose this tree, that I decided to water it like crazy, feed and pray. The problem was that this tree was far away from any water spigot. So, getting water to it would not be easy (it is way down a hill…).
My plan was to put a bucket as close to the tree as possible – at the end of our longest hose. When the watering timer went off, it would fill the bucket. Then, I could carry the bucket to the tree.
I did this for 2 weeks.
I set up two buckets so that one would always be full
AFTER TWO WEEKS, IT IS ALIVE!
Hubby says that it will still probably die… but I am also feeding it with the amazing worms I get from Black Diamond Vermicompost (she mails out orders all the time so feel free to go to her site and get your own!)
There are little green buds sprouting in several areas of my little tree! So, I will continue to water him and feed him. Crossing fingers and praying to Mother Nature!
I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED, BUT FOR NOW, I’M THRILLED!
And just to make the point again, LOOK at how huge these trees are now! It has only been 2 years for these guys. It is amazing! And I’m pretty sure it is the Black Diamond Vermicompost.
FOR EXAMPLE: These little trees in this alley way are so huge now, that you can barely see them! Ther trees in front, too! All of these trees are only 2 years old. Worms and water. I swear by the Black Diamond Vermicompost!
JULY BUCKET FUND HORSE: BLAZE, who nearly cut off his foot! Luckily, he severed no tendons or ligaments, so he can be helped! Blaze’s surgery and treatment costs are astronomical! To read the story, click here. To donate, click here! (Thank you Thank you, Thank you!)
