Why Bee tree?
Because in the Spring it is covered in white blossoms and bees so thick you can hear and feel the buzz all the way to the back porch. Name explained.
The Bee Tree was the first canopy for our boys’ sand box 50 years ago. The sand box was empty more than not during Spring because of the bees.
This tree has had kittens stuck in it, raccoons shot out of it, kids climbing it and so many birds’ nest including humming birds.
A swing big enough to hold five and more wigglies hung from it for years.
It’s a tree that we’ve come to love and dislike at the same time.
The bees are the obvious dislike reason for the littles.
When we had a pool I threatened to construct a 20 foot screen fence on the deck of the pool to let the breeze through while catching the blossoms that covered the pool and plugged the filter.
And then for whatever reason this tree went into Fall mode in August and slowly undressed and tossed it’s leaves into the pool from the end of summer until pool closing. And once again the filter and I with the skimmer got a good workout.
It was a great tree to lay under and look through the leafy arms. I had two or three free standing swings that sat under the tree (the kind that had a canopy that would last a year or two before the storms would rip it off). Books were read, diaries filled out, lists made. Many days, many prayers left that swing and were sent heaven bound.
It was the best tree for blood spattering berry juice wars. The little berries were great ammo for the kids. Not so great when it came to washing clothing caught in the battles. It supplied kinder weapons than the crab apple tree we had.
Family reunions with plastic lined tables and mismatched folding chairs were held in the shade of the tree. Circles of friend filled chairs gathered under it.
Bird feeders hang from it. Sparrows, Cardinals, Blackbirds, Finches feed from them. Robins, Morning Doves eat under it. Nuthatches, Woodpeckers pick off it.
After the dull, cold winters this tree was the first to shout “Hey look, Spring is coming. See my bright green leaves coming – you know the blossoms will be here soon!”
As I stand at my kitchen sink and look out at it, memories flit through. Dogs being tied to it. Kids running around it, jumping off the swing, climbing so high they needed help to get down. Frisbees stuck in it. Kids chasing cats stuck in it. The beautiful Spring dance of the heavy branches thick with white.
We noticed a split in it a few weeks back. With help of Son#4 we have it cabled together. We’re hoping with that and prayer it will survive for years to come. Yes, I pray for my trees as well as other gifts in my life.
The thought of looking out the window and not having it stand guard in our yard makes me sad – really sad.
