Yesterday, I thought I spotted a tall human in the window as I pulled my car into the driveway.
No one should have been home at that time, and I quickly ran through the possibilities, at least one of which involved some sort of stranger danger.
“Hello?” I called out in what I hoped was a cheerful and non-threatening manner as I opened the side door.
I looked up and then I remembered.
I am the proud new owner of a guard tree.
Re-gifted to me by a neighbor, the tree is not universally loved in our family.
My husband suggested I give it to a teacher for some sort of classroom project. Reached by phone, my daughter Molly, a brutal realist, reckoned that I wouldn’t have to worry about where to put the tree for long. Ouch. (Though it’s true that my thumb has not always the greenest.)
The tree has a Seussian quality and, even as I type this, I can practically hear it singing, “Notice me Horton.”
It lists heavily to one side and may suffer from some form of spruce scoliosis.
Still, that tree’s a proud araucaria heterophyllaar, which, if you say that first part right, might sound like, “a Laura, are ya?” I feel like we’re bonding.
I think I might name her.
Francie seems right.
What do you think?
I feel like it might be time for me to re-read this gem.
My first thought was “My fair Lady”….like one of the fancy characters at the horse race! Good luck!
Thanks for the luck and the good suggestion…Does that make me Henry Higgins? 🙂
I do not have a suggestion for a name… you are much more clever than I, but I do have a tree just like that 😊 It was given to me as a gift when it was just at tiny little thing. Now it is far from tiny. I water it by putting a pitcher full of ice cubes in the pot when the soil gets dry. That is my hint of the day….. now you have inspired me to give my tree a name too. It does seem to have a quirky personality. I’ll work on that. Have a good day!
Thank you for the tip! I was wondering how often to water it. Do you also think it needs to be re-potted?
Forest Stump?
That’s a great one! Thanks
I vote for Francie! I loved that book!!
I did too. My mom tried to name my sister Francie but my dad talked her out of it.
A beautiful Norfolk pine! Don’t think repotting is necessary at this time. The ice cube regimen for watering sounds good. Some fertilizer in spring/summer would make Francie happy 😃
Nice surprise tome home to👍
Will do (on the fertilizer). Francie and I thank you Barb