Gone to get some fresh air

Regular programming returns next week. Until then, regard these tree-devouring machines.

A quick dispatch this week as I haven’t had much time with my trees of late. Several are struggling, but I’m still looking into why and what to do about them. The heavy rains have obviated my need to water daily. A new hornbeam I bought online is being held hostage by a toxic roommate breakup somewhere in Jackson, Mississippi.

More immediately, an old college buddy has been in town this week, my first (vaccinated) house guest since lockdown. So we’ve been running around the city eating like emperors and soaking up some fresh air to walk off the khachapuri. Our friendship turns 15 this year. If I planted a tree in my dad’s backyard the year we met, that tree would now be established but still youthful. It would probably have a strong root base and developed trunk that I would have chopped a few years prior to focus on growing the defining branch structure.

Trees mark the passage of time in their rings and ramification. I often wonder how they experience that passage.

So more next week. Until then, I encourage you to watch this bug-nuts crazy video of a bunch of machines designed to dig out and chew up trees. Do also read Helen Rosner’s wonderful column about the marvelous Alexis Nikole, the foraging queen of Tiktok. You must.