In the interest of truth and wisdom, I have to issue a correction — dealing with my misidentification of flowering trees.
I mistakenly identified my beautiful tree with the purple foliage and explosion of gorgeous pink blossoms as a Japanese Flowering Cherry. In fact, the tree in question is a PLUM tree. I am not sure what its real name is, but I will find out by asking the nursery where it came from.
However…before I drown in protests, I hasten to add that there IS indeed a Japanese Flowering Cherry tree out in my yard right next to the mis-identified Plum tree. I personally planted both of the flowering trees about 20 years ago.
Here’s the thing: Several years ago the Cherry tree developed a serious illness, and gradually died. The branches formed a pleasing shape any way, and when I noticed that several new little shoots were coming out of the ground I decided to leave them alone and see what happened. Gradually the old tree deteriorated, and lost upper branches to the elements. I let the tree trunk remain as a framework for the new shoots to climb on. Two or three years ago I discovered a few flowers on the tree.
(Photos and story ©Sometimes, 2021)
Here we can see the remaining structure of the original tree, and the several new shoots reaching from the root base. Beautiful blossoms. growths on the old branch; evidence of damage of previous years. This year many more blossoms on the CHERRY tree. Shown here is the new growth coming up from the ground adjacent to the structure of the old. PLUM tree, overloaded with blossoms, branches drooping.
to the left, part of the Lil’ Kim Lilac which had been injured in the recent ic storm.