Buds

 

Flowers

Branches so full

Honeybees

 

A native bee

A butterfly too

Watching these trees grow bigger each year since we planted them brings me so much joy! The pear tree is quite large by now at almost six years old, and the cherry is so productive at just a three and one half years old. To plant a fruit tree is quite a different experience than what I’m used to as a gardener. The lettuce, the tomatoes, they require tending, regular seeding, starting each year… The fruit tree – it sets root and each year comes back on it’s own, growing always larger, taller, and heavier with more fruit. (Though I ought to prune and shape more than I’m prone to do!) It really feels quite miraculous and exciting.

This is the first year that we have had honeybees during the flower stage of our trees. It was fascinating to watch their busy pollinating activities, and see the nectar stores within the hive grow in tune. The bees much preferred the cherry tree over the pear tree, and loved my neighbor’s plum. We have learned that bees see flowers in different colors than us humans, with the pollen and the nectar standing out to them, so they can easily be choosy, putting efforts into flowers with the most nectar and pollen. We never tire of learning of these creatures, and we never tire of these dear fruit trees, either. Leaving the trees behind will be one of the most difficult parts of moving to a farm some day! For now, we so enjoy their beauty, their shade and the promise of fruit to come (barring squirrel thievery!).