Captain, it is I, Ensign Pulver, and I just threw your stinkin’ palm tree overboard!

One of the first projects we undertook after buying our house was the front yard. When we moved here we had an Oak and a Chinese Tallow that dominated the space. The roots were close to the surface and beelined straight for the foundation where they slurped up all the moisture and caused a bit of a problem.

We decided to have the trees removed and some landscaping done. Since this area of the south is not very conducive to life as we know it we decided to go with a tropical theme, thinking that plants of that nature had a better chance of surviving.

One of the larger expenses was a palm tree that we purchased. It was placed in such a way as to be a focal point of the overall layout. It was planted and propped up and we waited for it to take root and grow a bit with the idea we would remove the supports at some point in the near future.

For the longest time the darn thing did not grow or take root. I knew it was alive but it wasn’t doing anything. After awhile the supports yielded under the weight of the tree and it began to fall. I got out there and reinforced the supports so it would not fall all the way to the ground. I had this idea that we would re-plant it so I did not put it back the full upright position. Cynthia suggested that we just get rid of it or replace it. I wasn’t prepared to write off the expense just yet.

On one weekend I went out to address the matter thinking I would go ahead and replant the palm tree as best I could. When I went to move it the darn thing would not budge. Turns out it had finally taken root. So now I have this palm tree jutting out of the yard at a 45 degree angle. Over the years it has turned skyward and grown like crazy.

I actually kind of like how it turned out.