Complete or Not?

The tree planting tradition we launched in May 2019 is now complete. Complete in the sense that a tree for each of our fifteen grandchildren has been chosen, purchased and planted in the soil at nadamore. When this tradition was first conceived, we had no idea which trees would be joining us or where exactly they would be planted. Now, as we look around the nadamore landscape we are surprised by the wide variety of newly planted trees. It feels good to be surrounded by their trunks, branches and leaves, all visible reminders of the grandchildren they represent. We are now ready to raise these trees, to protect them as best we can from drought, disease, insects and other animals until they reach their full potential.

When we first wrote about this tree planting tradition in a January 2020 article, seven of the fifteen trees were already planted (four Balsam Firs for the four Freeman boys: Mikey, Javonnie, Cameron and Adrian, a Japanese Maple for Claire, a Tamarack for Marley and a White Spruce for Rowan). As mentioned in the article, winter arrived before we were able to plant the remaining eight trees for Emma, Levi, Eden, Harper, Gavin, Gerrit, Micah and Rebekah. To view the original tree planting article click here.

Who would have known that the arrival of that winter would be followed by the appearance of a global pandemic in early 2020?  That the remaining eight trees would find their way to nadamore in the midst of pandemic restrictions? Although we were able to coordinate tree choices with the remaining grandchildren by phone, text or e-mail, it was not possible for them to be physically present for planting.

Here’s how the tradition unfolded:

Emma (16, Grand Rapids MI) chose a Prairie Fire Crabapple which we purchased and planted for her in early May 2020. She met her tree in June 2020 when she came to nadamore for a brief socially-distanced visit. She attached her tree ID tag at this time.

Micah and Rebekah (5 and 3, Frederick MD) were agreeable to our suggestion that red maple trees would make a great choice. We purchased two Crimson King Norway Maples in May 2020, and planted them in two different areas that needed a splash of red. Since both Micah and Rebekah have June birthdays, Vicki created a red maple birthday card for each of them last year. Micah and Rebekah will meet their trees and attach their tree ID tags when they visit nadamore this summer.

 

Levi (11, Grand Rapids MI) chose a White Kousa Dogwood, which we purchased and planted in May 2020. Levi met his tree and attached his tree ID tag in June 2020 when he came to nadamore for a brief socially-distanced visit. Since he was in the process of a tree identification project at school, he was able to use a leaf from his dogwood tree in the display.

Gavin (8, Grand Rapids MI) picked a Michigan Tulip, known to be one of the fastest growing and tallest trees in this area. We purchased his tree in July 2020 and planted it in an open area where it would have lots of room to grow. Vicki created a tulip tree card for Gavin, which we hand-delivered to him in Grand Rapids. We are excited for Gavin to meet his tree and attach his tree ID tag sometime soon.

 

Gerrit (almost 7, Grand Rapids MI), lover of all things outdoors, had a hard time deciding which tree he wanted. Eventually though, after a few months of wavering, he landed on an apple tree. He didn’t care which kind, as long as it would produce apples he could eat. In April 2021 we purchased and planted a Snowsweet Apple for Gerrit. The apples will be sweet with just a hint of tart. Vicki created an apple tree card for Gerrit and sent it to him by snail mail. We hope he can meet his tree and attach its ID tag sometime soon.

 

Eden and Harper (14 and 11, Hamilton ON) also chose apple trees. Since Eden prefers sweet apples and Harper prefers sour apples, specific tree choices were easy to make. In April 2021 we purchased and planted two more apple trees: a Honeycrisp Apple for Eden and a Granny Smith Apple for Harper. Once again, Vicki created cards and mailed them. We’re not sure when Eden and Harper will be able to meet their trees because the Canadian border has been closed since March 2020.

The apple trees for Gerrit, Eden and Harper are part of a newly established “orchard” at the site of Miller Hill School (1878-1939), visible from our house. This little orchard is in part, a way to remember the many fruit tree orchards that were planted by early Miller Hill settlers. Some of the old fruit trees are still standing, but most of them no longer produce edible fruit. For more information on the Miller Hill School project click here for the first article, “Hidden On The Land”, and here for the second article, “Carried by Surprise: An Update On The School Property” or visit Miller Hill School on Facebook.

Is our new tree planting tradition really complete now that all fifteen trees have been planted?

Not really!

In many ways, the tradition is only beginning. God willing, the trees will continue to grow and so will our grandchildren. We wonder: What kind of relationship will form between each grandchild and their tree? What can we as grandparents do to encourage the connection over time? What will become of these relationships in the next decade or two? It will be interesting to see what happens!

Vicki Vanderkwaak On April 14, 2021   /   A Journey