Friday, August 29, 2025

Phase III Complete - Tree Planted

 



Song:  Aniron

Artist:  Enya


Yesterday...
just as I was thinking of planting the Japanese Maple...
I heard thunder close by.

So...
I just stayed inside.


Today...
as the sky was relatively clear...
I decided to complete Phase III of the planting of my tree.



I had made a mound from the original soil...
and planted the tree.

I then covered the top with more of the original soil.


Because of the way the branches are growing unevenly...
it looks like I had planted the tree crookedly...
but, I made sure the trunk was vertical.




There are three main branches on this tree.

I had oriented them so as they continue to grow...
one branch will face towards the house...
thereby providing shade along the rear of the walkway...
and one will eventually fill out over the lower driveway...
and one will fill out over the front walkway 
and the upper driveway.

I will also selectively trim the tree later on to ensure it grows somewhat 
where I wish it to.


I semi-loosely tied the tree to the tree stakes.



I then supported the two longest branches to stabilize the upper portion of the tree
against the west...
and sometimes gusting eastern winds.









This is an Osakazuki Japanese Maple.

It is supposed to be especially hardy in a variety of soils...
and it is supposed to be one of the most scarlet and colorful in Autumn.

It will eventually mature to approximately 25 x 25 feet (7.62 x 7.62 meters).

This being a one year sapling...
it will be many years before it reaches full maturity.

I won't know how quickly it will grow...
for another year or so.

Under optimum conditions...
it will grow 1-2 feet a year.

However...
it being at an elevation of 9,650 ft (2,941 meters)...
and it being about 1,000 ft above its normal growing elevation limit...
I suspect it will grow only about 1 ft a year.

Hopefully...
I can coax it to grow more vigorously.

But...
the growing season is short here...
usually about five months.

I will hold off topping the soil with mulch
until I winterize the tree...in about a month or so.

I want to be able to add more soil as I water the tree over the next month...
to fill in any soil subsidence due to it settling more.

--------------

This is Bandi's Tree...
as when Bandi finally grows old and passes...
I will bury her ashes at the base of the tree so I may keep her memory alive
every time I am greeted by the sight of the tree.

Once her ashes are buried there...
I will name the tree...
Bandi.

--------------

The tree on the other side of the house
(of which will arrive at the end of October...
and will be a three year old sapling...
I will name Kuma...
the name of my first dog).

--------------

I will resume the weeding around the walkway tomorrow.

I will have to buy another tool as well...
one to trim the long woody branches of the bushes.

--------------

I feel greatly satisfied having completed the laborious task 
that planting this tree had been.

But...
now I will get a lifetime of enjoyment watching it grow...
enjoying the colors in Autumn...
and later on...
enjoying the shade it will provide over the walkway...
and both of the driveways.

I will also be able to enjoy this tree from the comfort of my bed
through the large side window near the pillow side as I lay down my head.

--------------

Actually...
I was ambivalent about planting today...
as last night (10 PM)...
I had giving in to a mad craving for McDonald's cheeseburgers.

I drove to Woodland Park...
singing the whole way there in anticipation of a feast...
and all the way back as I was feeling so good.

I had eaten 6 cheese burgers...
fries...
an apple pie...
and I had drunk a large Dr. Pepper.

Even though I hadn't stuffed myself...
this morning...
I had awakened with some intestinal disturbance.

And so...
I hadn't eaten anything all day...
and just relaxed in bed.

If I eat anything at all...
later tonight...
it will just be some of my homemade yogurt.

Yes...
I am still a child at times.

I sometimes give in to mad food cravings...
even though I know I shouldn't.

But...
they were so delicious  :)

4 comments:

  1. Sad to think about the passing of such loyal friends. Finally, Musa is passed the naughty puppy stage, now I can look forward to many years of great companionship and greetings. Congrats on planting the Japanese maple.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, it is sad...but it also allows us to look honestly at the future so as to ensure we don't take our time with treasured friends for granted...and there is simply no greater friend than a dog.

    Domo...in a couple of months...I will be planting another one...of which will be guarding the entrance to Bandi's Forest.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on getting the tree planted! You worked hard to get this far! Feels like that for all that effort you deserved a little McDonald's reward for yourself. :)

    Choked up a little when you wrote that this is Bandi's tree... but you are right that being honest with yourself enables us to not take for granted the time with have with our treasured friends.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Although I had greatly enjoyed the cheeseburgers...I paid for it the next day. Although I usually don't suffer from the food that I eat...if I eat too closely to bedtime...I feel it the next day. Shame on me :)

    Bandi is such a good companion. I get such pleasure watching her having fun. I think dogs are almost universally loved because they have unfettered emotions. They reflect the best traits we value in man or beast. They have the purity of children in that they accurately reflect what they feel, without hidden agendas. This brings out the best in humans as we naturally act in ways to stimulate greater joy in them. And so, when we think we are training them to be better dogs, they are actually training us to be better humans.

    ReplyDelete

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