My favorite tree.

We had a lovely little spell of warm weather last week that nudged some  plants in the yard to venture out. Our plum tree is finally blossoming, so I'm crossing my fingers for fruit this summer.

Daffodils planted through the years are up and showing off. Little whispers of Japanese forest grass have made their appearance.

In the midst of all this lovely, though, I'm ridiculously sad that the Yoshino cherry tree planted when Outdoorman and I moved into our house, is gone now. We bought that tree for $17 at our local garden center when she was no taller than I and picked a planting spot where she'd show off her delicate, pale pink blossoms. Boy, did she flourish...her limbs grew with the most gracious reach...I wondered how her short trunk could support such a wide canopy. But it did.

Oh, she was a beaut. I loved the pink snow created when the petals began to fall. We hung lanterns and wind chimes on the limbs and strung lights all around the branches.

We'd haul a table underneath to eat, serenaded by an occasional bird and the constant wind chimes. We celebrated dinners, birthdays, and backyard ball games under that shade tree. 

A few years ago Outdoorman built an immovable table the length of her shade for serving food during backyard weddings. Walks down the grassy aisle began under her branches.

I noticed a couple of years ago that not all of her branches were blooming or leafing. I hoped if I just pruned those limbs, all would be good. 

I googled "Yoshino cherry tree" to see if it was some disease we could cure, but instead found the life span of these lovelies is normally around 20-25 years.  I was sappy and sad that our very own "giving tree"...the one who'd shared her beauty, branches and shade from childhood birthday parties to to walks down the wedding aisle...was dying. Ugh. I was mad at myself for not preparing for this by planting other cherry trees every few years. (I'm thinking the folks at the Tidal Basin in DC must follow this protocol)

It was a painful Saturday last fall when Outdoorman fired up the chain saw and started cutting. My garden guru friend came over the mountain and brought with him a new Yoshino cherry tree.  I don't love my new tree yet, but I feel it coming.

Early spring is an opportunity for planting a family tree. I walked through the garden center last week and noticed a good selection of Yoshino cherry trees...they're a tad north of $17 now, but worth every penny.