When we first moved to the neighborhood twenty-two years ago, it was obvious that the homes here were built in a rocky field. Over the years, the rocks have remained, but the area has evolved somewhat. There are a few trees here and there, I wish there were more. We have about an acre of land, and there were nine trees when we arrived, three maples around the front of the house, and six poplars out back. When I was growing up, there were always trees in the yard. From the little house on Knight Street, I remember the cherry tree best - the picking, the pitting, the red-stained hands and faces. From the house on West Avenue, I remember the pine trees that lined the yard - climbing up just enough to be hidden from sight, the sticky pine pitch that would stain my hands and my clothes, but in hide-and-seek, it was worth it. From the cottages at the lake, I remember best the willows. Our cottage on the lake had a huge willow with boughs that dipped down into the water. Grandpa and Grandma’s cottage up above had a willow in the side yard, and at night, with the window open, I would love the swishing sound of the wind in the willows - so easy to fall asleep to. At the brick house on Main Street, a huge willow at the back of the house. I don’t remember there being any other tree in the yard, but there didn’t need to be - there was a bench under the tree, and I could sit and shell peas or snip beans there - it was always cool in the summertime.

So, here the trees were few, and the poplars soon died. We planted an ash, given to us by good friends. That has grown taller than the house. Another friend offered us a small maple that was growing by his front steps. That is now towering over the back deck. My dad gave us two willow sprigs from a stump that had been cut down. They thrive in the back yard, and offer both beauty and backdrop for my backyard birdwatching. In the past couple of years, we have planted a white spruce and magnolia.

I am always seeing bare spots where I imagine a tree could grow, so as little saplings appear in the dirt under our deck, we gather them up and place them in the ground. We have three little trees underway - a box elder, and two maples. All three seem to be getting their leaves just now, in time to celebrate.   Happy Earth Day!