Nature Diary... The Gift That Keeps On Giving

A month ago the local tree surgeon was asked to remove at least two thirds of top of our Eucalyptus tree. It had been a choice of whether or not to have the tree completely cut down or to have it pollarded. The choice was made to have it pollarded. When asked where the tree would start to grow back from the young man smiled and said “Everywhere. It's a Eucalyptus tree. They're almost indestructible.” Sure enough, in just a few weeks, the bare branches have produced new growths of foliage not just from the tops of the pollarded branches but right the way along the length of each remaining branch. Remarkable.

Not content with just surviving and producing hundreds of new foliage offshoots, the indestructible tree is singing a song of triumph by producing some of its beautiful flowers on the few skinny little branches which were not removed. Remarkable indeed, especially considering the arctic weather we had this winter.

Meanwhile the Oriental Poppies continue to burst forth in redolent splendour against the vibrant backdrop of our beautiful Weigela shrub.

The whole reminds me of a poem carved on an ancient stone birdbath I have:

The kiss of the sun for pardon
The song of the birds for mirth
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.