The year after our first grandchild was born, we planted a maple tree in her honour. A few years later when our second grandchild was born, we did the same.
We continued to do this. After each birth, another tree was planted. We planted the trees in a straight row, on the slope of an old farm field where the growing conditions were right — plenty of sunshine and soil that wasn’t too wet or too dry. When the fifth grandchild was born, there wasn’t enough room in the row, so we started a second one. When that row filled up, we started a third, and then a fourth.
All of a sudden — or so it seemed — we had ten grandchildren and ten maple trees, planted in a triangle like the pins in a bowling alley.
By last summer, the trees were big enough to have an impact. But the long grass in the field hid the triangular shape.
In order to emphasize the shape and to draw attention to the trees themselves, we started to mow around them.
Mowing helped make the shape clear, but it didn’t help enough. We sprayed a white line on the grass.
That helped a bit more, but the spray paint didn’t last very long.
Recently I returned to the problem, searching for a solution that would showcase the trees but wouldn’t require too much maintenance.
I think I’ve found it.
A steel bar mounted on steel legs now marks each corner of the triangle with a sleek silver line. Next summer we may spray paint the legs that hold the bars above the grass silver as well, or we may leave them to gather even more rust.
The spray paint didn’t end the necessary tweaking. Because almost three years ago, grandchild #11 appeared on the scene. Where could we put her tree? The triangle was complete.
If her tree wasn’t part of the pattern, did it have to be a maple? Her mother suggested we choose a tree that bore fruit — appropriate for a little girl, she said. Until a few weeks ago, this youngest tree stood in the same field, not far from the other grandchildren trees but not part of the group either. Her cousins didn’t like that. They said she was being left out.
What could I do but listen?
Now the youngest (the final?) grandchild’s tree is in place. It stands opposite the tip of the triangle, elevated on a berm like a conductor leading an orchestra.
And to make sure the others know who is in charge, we planted a crabapple!
I personally am looking forward to the transition of duck pin to 10 pin! I don’t see that it is anything to get too crabby about!
I was wondering who would pick up on the size of the pins…. should have known.
Pat Webster, what an excellent idea to plant trees for each grandchild! I am happy for you that you have eleven grandkids! I hope that you will live to see many great-grandchildren!
I’d love to see a great-grandchild but since the oldest grandchild is now only 15, it will be a few years yet!
What a lovely story. It made me tear up. What about some perimeter benches along the triangle so the grandchildren can sit there with their own childen some day. And a few little paths so they can run between ‘their’ trees? And maybe some low meadow flowers? Too much? Maybe. A great concept anyway, grandma.
The idea of benches keeps coming up and they may make an appearance one of these days. In fact, I originally thought of making the strips now in place wide and strong enough to act as seats. This may still happen — and if it does, it will happen long before any g’children have children. (Or so I hope, since the oldest gchild is only 15.)
Sweet story and I do love your last line! gail/clayandlimestone.com
As I tell her mother, she’s a handful but not crabby. Or at least not most of the time.
Blessed with grandchildren and blessed with enough land to plant a tree for each of them! I also think a bench would be a good idea–maybe instead of the steel bars, but in the same configuration (outlining the triangle)?
Kathy, we think alike! I may broaden and strengthen the top strips to make them into benches. It’s not top of my to do list, but it is there.
Congratulations on your newest child. Perhaps the next generation can continue the tradition with a whole forest of great grandchildren trees?
Numbers do increase exponentially, it seems, so a forest is not out of the question!