As many Victorians, and Australians overall, will know, our environment has suffered the driest winter and spring on record. We are in a history-breaking drought. In fact, there are really two droughts. One is the long drought, which began in 1997 and things never went back to normal. The other drought, is the short and sharp one. This began when Victoria had its fourth-driest June on record, and this is deepening. We are all under tight water restrictions and a hot Summer is looming. The fire season begins in only three weeks. Out of all this, who suffers the most? Surely not the city folk (except the elderly)? Farmers - of course. Native animals and wildlife - of course. CFA - of course. Cattle - of course. Trees and plants - of course.
Maribyrnong City Council (west of Melbourne) is launching a new 'Raise a Tree' program to encourage residents to water their street tree. All the residents have to do is give a bucket of grey water once or twice a week to a particular tree in the early morning or evening. Every little bit counts. Many of the trees around the streets of Melbourne hold our history and some are even heritage listed.
So, I got to thinking ... as I don't belong to this Council, I'm going to raise a tree in my very own yard. The photograph attached to this posting portrays the tree I aim to raise. Luke and I transplanted this tree - a magnolia and a gift from my mother - just before Amaya was born. The tree to me, does and will, hold a part of my family's history. As part of my blog I will keep you up-to-date with the development of my magnolia.
P.S. Excuse the weeds in the lower garden! Can you even see the tree?!
5 comments:
Magnolias are my favorite kind of tree. We had one in our backyard. I miss seeing them in the spring, when they are in full bloom. I look forward to seeing more of your pictures of this tree.
What a fantastic way to leave your very own mark on life... Not being a green thumb, I kill everything but weeds, the Stevens will try to raise a tree.
great idea, shan! i remember norbyah's little magnolia tree as we spoke about it often it's first year (it struggled a bit, and by the end of the summer we weren't certain if it was going to make it or not...) last summer, before joe and norbyah moved to hong kong, the tree began to thrive... i drove past their old house tonight, thinking of them, and tried to catch a glimpse of the tree, but couldn't see it from the roadway. i may have to do some trespassing later this week! thanks for the great post.
You never cease to amaze me. Who else in Melbourne is nurturing a tree with such ambition and thought? Does their tree symbolise what yours does, because you believe in it so much? I look forward to watching it grow over the years.
Good post.
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