Ode to a missing mulberry tree
Looking up at one of the last mulberries, lower left corner, late August.
Linda Diane Feldt | Contributor
A few weeks ago my neighboring mulberry tree was suddenly chopped down and shredded. It isn’t on my property, and I had no warning; it was just suddenly cut, hoisted by crane piece by piece, and loudly and definitively destroyed.
Mulberry trees have a mixed reputation. While some of us rejoice in their bounty, others see nothing but a seasonal mess. They drop berries profusely and for a long season — two months is normal. The fallen fruit draws flies and wasps and other bugs (not to mention foragers…). Many people cut them down just because they are prolific and healthy.
This tree was taken just to clear out a messy corner of property. It was many of a number of trees sacrificed to remove overgrowth that was also threatening power lines. I feel certain no assessment was done, and no one considered if it was of value.
And how do you assess the value of a tree? Of course no one asked the neighbors nearby, "Is this an important tree to you?"
In fact, I’ve taken a lot from that tree over the last fpur or five years. And the last harvest — the most recent and also the very last ever — is in my freezer.
Over a quart of mulberries were picked on a warm summer day, taken and preserved to enjoy some cold winter morning mixed in with oatmeal made with raisons and almonds, sweetened with local honey and homemade yogurt. A perfect way to start a day.
We had no idea at the time, my boyfriend and I, that he was picking what would be the final gift from that tree, and that we will enjoy the very final pleasure of its bounty in the cold months to come.
Yes, it was of great value.
We have the luxury to destroy the growing things that would otherwise provide abundant fruit and nourishment. What a strange idea. Convenience and elimination of mess may remain the focus of creating landscapes, but certainly not much longer. There is an arrogance in how we interact with what is natural, and that attitude is never sustaining.
The mulberry tree is just one more of the misunderstood, undervalued, and unappreciated wonders growing close at hand. I write this tribute, taking nothing for granted.
Linda Diane Feldt is a local Holistic Health Practitioner, author, teacher, and herbalist. You can follow her on twitter, visit her web site, or contact her ldf(at)lindadianefeldt.com. Linda Diane will be giving a free demo on preparing wild foods at the Homegrown Festival Sept. 10, at the Farmers Market, from 6-7:30 p.m. If you’ve ever wanted to taste acorns, here is your chance!
Comments
Linda Diane Feldt
Thu, Sep 8, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
An interesting array of comments. Yes, this isn't my first tree hugging blog and likely won't be the last. But thanks for the comment, M, it caused me to laugh out loud. I have no idea what our mayor and Mulberry trees would have to do with each other, I will assume you're just looking for ways to make every article an excuse to comment negatively about the current administration? I have certainly found Mayor Hieftje to be an enthusiastic supporter of nature in general, and we have talked wildcrafting in passing. Thanks for the comments, all.
Sarah Rigg
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 3:31 p.m.
I'd feel the same way. When I was a kid, my mother used to ask our neighbor's permission each fall to pick apples from their apple tree, because they'd just let them drop and rot. My mother made fantastic apple sauce from them.
SonnyDog09
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.
I will end your mulberry tree. Seriously, did you submit this ode to a missing tree on behalf of Mayor Leftie?
Marilyn Wilkie
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 12:03 p.m.
We have a young mulberry tree growing up in our western fence row. The robins loved it this spring. It will eventually get huge and will drop it's fruit everywhere and make a huge mess underneath. The stains are difficult to remove. The bird droppings will also stain everything they fall on. As a child we loved the local mulberry. Now, not so much. I think we will be cutting this one down. It will lord over our new garden shed.
M
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
It's official. annarbor.com is now writing articles about hugging trees. We all knew this day would come.
David Rhoads
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
My wife, Leslee, would certainly agree with Linda. We also have a neighbor with a mulberry tree which provides Leslee with what she refers to as "delightful snacks". I, on the other hand, am not a big fan of mulberrys, mostly because the stems provide more fiber than I care for at one time. However, being the dutiful husband that I am, I have planted two mulberry trees on our property, one of which produced about a dozen mulberries this year. Sometimes, you just do what you have to do, for those who are important to you.