Transplanting

As I look out from the window of my heart into the garden of my family, I see four big piles of dirt beside wide gaping holes in the garden.  The garden looks sparse and empty and even the remaining plants look like they have lost their place.

This weekend has been full of transplanting.  A couple of the trees that we moved have been transplanted many times before.  They get put back in the soil for a few months here and there, like our Christmas tree that is removed for a season each year with a rotting burlap bag still protecting a solid root ball for the replanting later.

One of these uprooted trees has been planted here for a while this time.  It has given shade and fruit to us all in this last year.  We are going to miss the fun of resting under its canopy and eating its tasty delights.  The cat will miss scratching its knobbly bark.  The other tree that was planted beside it has only been around for  short times lately.  Its creative peeling bark and rich colour add so much joy and wonder to the whole garden.  The garden fairies that twinkle from its heights wait in excited anticipation for its short returns that add such delight.

The biggest hole was home to two trees, forever linked by their roots.  They have never before been moved  and by the looks of the piles of soil around them, it was a challenge to get them out.  This newest loss to our garden is huge.  Even the neighbouring trees and bushes seem to be tottering as their own roots were disturbed.  Bits of cut up roots are scattered among the remaining soil.  These twin trees had to be pulled apart from each other as well as from their solid earth.   Their special and solid beauty as two unique trees intertwined and supporting each other leaves a gaping space in the entire garden.  They were a favourite resting place for the dog, and every kind of bird perched in their leafy branches.  The sound of the birds' chirping and cawing has gone, leaving a cavernous silence.  These trees swayed and creaked, their bark rubbing the other and chafing.  We feel the space from their leaving.  We are excited that they will now have a chance to fully grow and develop by themselves, but we miss their strength and support.

Four trees, carefully moved and replanted this weekend.  New soil dug and prepared far from here.  Fresh compost added to the mix.  For the twin trees, we carefully placed stakes to help support the trunks while the newly disturbed roots grow.  May the new places and soil give new growth to our trees.  May they be a delight in their new gardens, bringing shade and fruit and wonder there.

We miss them.  We will fill in the holes loosely, mixing some fresh soil with the old for when they return, stronger and wider, new roots sprouting.