We came home from a visit to the grandparents recently and found a tree in the backyard lying on the ground. One of the younger boys astutely pointed out that’s not how the tree was when we left it. Indeed.
Perhaps it was his automatic alibi system kicking in but when the 4-year-old saw it he quickly informed me he didn’t knock over the tree. It turns out there were some accusations that the 4-year-old had recently attempted to climb the definitely-too-young-to-climb tree so maybe he had a reason to declare his innocence.
In any event, a nice oak tree that we had planted six years ago had bit the dust. While I mourned the loss of a six-year head start getting shade in this part of the backyard, the older boys processed the loss in a different way. They immediately asked if they could help chop it up for firewood. Because, “Fire season is almost here, Dad.”
We made quick work lopping off the branches and got down to the 12-foot-long trunk piece. I was going to get a small chainsaw to cut firewood size pieces but the 11-year-old begged to use a hand saw so I let him. This was an excellent learning experience and had all the qualities of a good lesson: Sweat, dedication, humiliation and results.
The 11-year-old quickly learned sawing is not as easy as it looks and that choosing to saw on a 95-degree day isn’t what you call good planning. Even though the thickest part of the trunk was only 8” in diameter, young oak is much stronger than a young boy’s arm and he had to work at it for a long time. Finally, after cutting a few pieces, he called uncle and said he couldn’t cut anymore. I finished it up and we now have several nice pieces of future firewood. And perhaps a little more humble 11-year-old.
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As much as I enjoy sitting around a fire pit with the boys, I would rather my trees not fall over and become fuel. We’ve planted several trees at the house since moving in almost a decade ago and one thing I’ve learned is not to delay planting trees. It’s too easy to say we’ll do that next year and before you know it you’re saying, “if we had only planted that tree when we talked about it seven years ago, we wouldn’t have to wait another seven years to get some shade.”
October is a great time to plant trees in Central Texas, so within a week a couple of the boys and I were at the plant nursery looking at their specimens. We selected a one-gallon size Chinquapin oak tree.
Planting trees is more fun than taking them down and it’s a good activity for kids of all ages. What kid doesn’t love digging a hole? The 6-year-old helped me the most and we got our new tree in the ground. And protected. I can’t plant anything without a good bit of chicken wire or mesh blocking errant children from crashing into it.
Planting trees is an act of hope. You’re going through the trouble of planting it now hoping this tree will benefit someone in the future. Pessimists make poor arborists. And so do procrastinators. I can’t stress it enough: If you’re thinking about planting a tree — do it now.
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When you plant a tree you’re giving a gift (to yourself, your kids, to future generations) and it’s not merely a tree. It’s truly the gift of time. After all, no one can plant a full-grown oak tree and they don’t spring up overnight.
I hope the tree we planted grows well. And seven to 10 years from now, I can’t wait for my daughter to be able to play in its shade.
Harris and his wife live in Pflugerville with their seven children. Please email comments or suggestions for future columns to thoughtsforcaleb@gmail.com .
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Daddy Days: The hopeful act of planting a tree
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