Tree for Bill Mollison
4 May, 1928
24 September, 2016
4 May, 1928
24 September, 2016
Last fall, after the leaves had fallen from the trees here
in Utah, I purchased a tree to plant in memory of Bill Mollison.
I was needing to plant shade tree, and after seeing so much
about Bill’s life, I purchased a tree from our local nursery, and went about
planting it.
The simple tree planting turned out to be more difficult
than I had anticipated. In fact, it
revealed quite a bit, about my home, and the history of the house. Tree planting can reveal more than you
expect!
I dug the first hole, and was almost ready to plant the
tree, when I hit something hard in the soil.
I was aware, that there was previously and old outbuilding, in that
general area. I had hit concrete. I moved another few feet away, and tried
again; and hit concrete. After three,
four, or five more attempts, I had pinpointed the old concrete slab, and
planted the tree, as far away from it as possible, while still getting some
shade benefits.
I could just imagine Bill laughing at my experience, and yes,
I was a tad bit frustrated. Because this was in the front part of the lot, I
didn’t want the neighbors to see me getting too upset, but yes, I am sure I
cussed once or twice, or three times. It
really wasn’t my intention, to dig here and there.
A few things that Bill taught applied here. Probably more
than I will understand, for a while.
Observe. The first observation was, that the afternoon sun
hits the west facing study window. The
solution, is to shade it; and the easiest way to do this, with the most
benefits, would be to plant a shade tree.
The next observation was, when I had previously tried to
plant grapes along the fence line, in that same area, I had hit concrete, and
had to move down the fence line to plant.
On the other side of the fence line, I had dug a hole to plant a grape
vine, and filled it with water, to see how fast it drained. It hadn’t drained, after 4-5 hours. When planting in a new area, it doesn’t hurt
to check to see how the soil drains.
Just in case. After all, a fence line is too good of an opportunity for
vines to pass up.
Along this side of the house, is a
grassy driveway, used to access the back yard.
At some point, one of the previous owners of the home had torn down the
shed, added a room, and built a driveway alongside the new room, bringing in a
lot of soil to build up the driveway, and cover up the cement pad from the
shed. There is also a slight slope,
which will enhance saving water for the new shade tree, and other plants in the
area. I had wondered, why there was not a tree planted, to shade the west
facing window, before. Now I know!
Best of journeys, to Bill!
Another tree added to earth; a lovely Red Flowering Horse Chestnut tree,
the bees are already visiting.