Trees: Pretty and Delicious

I have known for quite some time that I am not much of a gardener. You might ask what gave it away? Was it how my few attempts in the past resulted in my dedication to planting, pruning, watering and weeding lasting for only a short period of time? Perhaps it was the number of dying or wilting plants in my garden and around my house? It might also have been the dreading of the heat and mosquitos that always eventually accompanied any amount of quality gardening work ethic. Quite probably it was a combination of all of the above.

But, then I discovered TREES! The number of trees native to North Carolina that boast some of the most exquisite blossoms is incredible. From Dogwoods to Peach blossoms, the flowers that can decorate one’s yard in the spring is truly a cornucopia. Nothing is quite like the happiness I get from looking out my window and seeing a wide variety of flowers – in color, shape and smell.
 
When I first moved into my current home, it only had one tree. Granted it was a beautiful, full peach tree that exploded in the most amazing pink blossoms every Spring. I was hooked! Over the years I have slowly added trees to our yard, such as the predictable NC trees like Crepe Myrtles. But, also a small trumpet tree now graces my front yard. I smile and giggle like a child whenever I walk by the flaming red of the miniature Japanese maple we planted a couple years ago in our backyard. Each tree has brought its own brand of improvement to the look of my yard. Some big, some small. But, all have brought the same feeling of satisfaction I used to get during the short periods of time when I was successfully gardening.
 
In recent years, my devotion to trees increased still further when I realized that trees could be both pretty and delicious. My first experience was when I got chatted into buying a miniature lemon tree by one of the workers at the NC State Farmers market . While it took a couple of years for the tree to bear fruit, the blossoms every year were both beautiful and some of the best smelling flowers my nose ever had the pleasure of sniffing. It does need a bit of love in the winter, being brought closer to the warmth of the house, so it will probably make a pot it’s home forever. But, that is the extent of the “work” one needs to do to reap the benefits of one to two dozen lemons we get off the tree every winter.
 
That lemon tree began my own personal tree trend. I bought my husband a small olive tree a couple years ago as a birthday present. It too will spend its life in a pot. But, it too has also begun to produce some fruit. We got our first beginnings of olives on the tree this year. And we are eager to see how many mature to full, olive-eating age.
 
Then there was the fig tree that my husband got me for my birthday last year (yes, it does seem trees are becoming a theme of our birthdays too). Again, fruit is something that will come in a few years, but the leaves are a cool shape and serve as a nice addition to other trees and bushes in our yard.

I feel I have only begun to explore all that trees have to offer. But, I am already convinced that a well-placed tree in your yard can deliver for many of your senses: smell, sight and taste. Probably the only real work I have found that they require is patience. There is the upfront work in planting them. And, for potted trees there may be some need to move them or protect them from frost a few times a year. But, they do not demand daily or weekly maintenance. And, with a little bit of patience, they will deliver not only pretty views but yummy additions to your kitchen.

If you have not tried adding trees to your outside space, I encourage you to. If you are already a tree lover and have any trees you recommend, please share! I am looking for another tree project and would love some thoughts on which one to fall in love with next.

The original version of this post can be seen on the NC GreenPower Blog.