The Weekly Tree Report - 5/6/25

 The Weekly Tree Report

5/6/25, Delayed Again!

    Life really hits you fast. I started this blog when I was young and I am still young. But, time has passed. It feels like my entire junior year has passed within a blink of an eye, even though most of that can be attributed to having Calculus BC to start my day. That class goes by so fast I don't even know what is happening half the time. But regardless, with the end of the school year, I really hope to expand this blog more than I did before. The view count has gone down significantly, but it's ok. I write for myself after all.

May Showers

    The saying goes "April showers bring May flowers," but I don't think that is true anymore. For one, May has been the stormiest it has been in awhile, while I can't recall a single shower during April. But I did see a lot of beautiful flowers.

    My favorite part about spring is in fact, just about that. The flowers. They're so nice to look at and they smell great. That's two senses that nature always appeals to. Well, not all the time, but you get my point.

If A Tree Falls

    Now all trees fall. Whether by chainsaw or by tropical storm, these beauties will eventually succumb to a concept known as decay. Of course, this is inevitable. But, when a tree does fall, if no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

    Physically, yes. It should. Anyone with a basic elementary level of science knowledge knows that a falling tree makes sound, especially if you are there to witness it. But even then, when no one is around to hear it, it does indeed make a sound.

    But what about philosophically? What can we take away from this question? 

    Now I've always been a deep thinker with shallow intentions. It is up to you to determine what that means, but just know that when I think too long, if often does not make sense. There is no method to my madness; there is no derivation to my mind's equation. To me, this question is a lot more simple than what I am insinuating. You see, trees fall all the time. But are all trees aware of the existence of every other tree on this planet? No chance, because some trees live at altitudes of thousands of feet in the air, while some trees probably live underwater that we just don't know about. There is no feasible way that this could be true. Same thing with human culture. We are probably not aware of every single society and we definitely do not understand the intricate web of cultural relations between every single spot on this green earth. Yet, we still try our best, because trying our best is what our species has been taught to do.

    Trees have also been taught to try their best. Plant a tree in a precarious spot and nine times out of ten it will find a way to survive. Rather than give up by being hidden away in shade, trees will lean out to the sun, potentially weakening their structure but giving their best effort in order to achieve the most out of their precarious position. This happens all the time in a forest; small trees often have to adapt to the much larger trees taking up all the shade. It's why nothing really grows underneath larger trees, and why trees grow with a significant lean.

    But when a tree inevitably falls down, it definitely does make a sound. Even when no one is there to hear it. Mother Nature always bears the pain of losing a beloved tree, because while us humans may not understand the entire compass of life, Mother Nature is what drives life itself. That's why certain extremists see humans as a pest on this world; Mother Nature, when given the chance, can take places that from decay and disruption back to an idyllic world if given enough time. The complexities of life, and how life grows and dies, is all understood by Mother Nature. So when a tree dies, when a tree falls, when a tree finally photosynthesizes for the last time, Mother Nature will notice. Ever see a nursing log in a forest? That's Mother Nature's response to a fallen tree; where a tree once stood is the place for more trees to grow. And as it turns out, natural wood decays into really fine soil for trees to grow on. 

    Even when no one is around to hear a tree fall, Mother Nature is always there.

Vincent's Garden Update

    Costco has decided to start selling Japanese Maples in Texas. I think they've done it before, but I can't be so sure. Because I have never, ever, ever ever, seen a Japanese maple in Costco. But, low and behold, I got my hands on a Crimson Queen cultivar; it could be a Tamukeyama cultivar, but they're so hard to distinguish that they might as well be the same tree.

    This beauty of a tree is fairly young, but I don't expect it to grow very large either. Weeping lace leaf variants, especially weeping variants, take decades to even reach the approximate size of a three year old oak tree. Also, the Texas weather can be archaic at times; one minute its burning hot, the next it's a snow storm. As a result, I wish to keep this tree in a pot so I can move it around in case of terrible weather.

    Technically now, I am up to two Japanese maples, but I want to head back because I also noticed some coral bark Japanese maples. My dad especially wants that one because it's green; funnily enough, I like the red ones and he likes the green ones. But, I'm sure, if we have time at least, I can visit Costco in time to pick at least one more Japanese maple before they're gone. Because let's face it, these ornamental trees are so popular that I do not believe that they will be on the shelf for more than a week before being sold out.

    Also in Texas, Japanese maples are hardly ever grown. People are already aware of Texas' crazy weather, but the fact is that they really don't do great here. It's always hot in Texas, after all, and Japanese maples are more acclimated to the north. Think Jersey, think New York. Then think Texas. But still, with the proper care, I'm sure a Japanese maple can survive. I just have to give mine a lot of shade and care.

Finale

    You know what's interesting. The fact that school is almost over. I want to go back to making daily posts, but the problem is I now have five AP exams to study over. But it's ok. I can find a way to make these blogs whenever I have the free time to. And I just want to thank whoever still reads to the end. I need to promote these blog posts better, but that comes fairly easily. But anyways, have a great day.