You wouldn't think we'd get all that excited over a single bud opening up into a leaf. After all, at this time of year, we have zillions of them popping on the trees every day.
But this one is special. This is a leaf on the old broken limb of the Century Apple tree that broke off last fall. (See post Tuesday, Sept. 2, The Century Apple Tree)
Rebecca, from Bark Nursery suggested that we simply bury the branch, with fingers crossed that it might start to root and rise again like the phoenix from the ashes. After all, this apple tree was bearing fruit when my grandmother stepped off the steamer S.S. Iroquois at Port Cunnington in 1905. The apples have remained unsurpassed for making pies and applesauce ever since.
Well, dance in the streets with us, because this leaf is on one of the branches on the buried apple branch.
Is it silly to be thrilled with something this small? We don't think so. Once upon a time there were 7000 different species of apples in the world. Check out the grocery store, and if you're lucky, you'll find about ten... This apple tree is one of the missing 6990, and we think that is both worth saving, and worth cheering!
"Oh the Lord is good to me,
ReplyDeleteAnd so I thank the Lord,
For giving me,
The things I need,
The sun and the rain and the apple tree ..."
That is the very heartening news about your very sweet, old apple tree.
Wendy