Always in the Shadows Too

  This Crape Myrtle, the second of three plantings. same year. Although this
and the one in front were planted in the ground two months ahead than
the one in the backyard.
  This one has reached it's height potential, unlike the first, but with a
struggle once again for competition for available sunlight. As you can
see in the picture there is the house to it's south. The ever present, towering
Bald Cypress to it's north (not shown). Fortunately it has reached above
the roof, stealing sunlight from the Bald Cypress trees, while also getting
a few more hours of sunlight from above than the one in the back yard.
  Having a close proximity to a water source with hose and the persistant
determination on my part to water it on a regular basis made
a big difference in it's formative years.
  Which brings me to a memory as a child. Watching my father watering a city planted
tree close to the curb, on this narrow strip, during the summer months up north.
Resulting in the largest Maple tree on our block. Only to be blown over thirty
some years later in a freak summer storm. During those years, cities all over the
country were suffering devastating diseases to our urban forests due to mass planting
of same types of trees and not the diversity tree plantings that our cities have learned
from past practices. That city planted Maple trees came at the heals of the massive
Dutch Elm disease that toppled a many of giants. Eventually the Maples were
succumbing to urban stresses and reoccurring infestations of Aphids, which
brought fall colors earlier and earlier to these trees, straining an already stressed
mass planted species.
  I've learned from that childhood experience by planting a diverse urban forest
is you will on my small plot of land. My dry plantings of Bald Cypress was up till
a ten to fifteen years ago was rarely seen. The state of Florida has now begun to
plant Bald Cypress in it diverse plantings along highways and roadways. As for my
Crape Myrtle trees, being cuttings from the same parent plant may succumb to lack
of diversity, but only time will tell. Judicious pruning or sculpting
is what I like to refer pruning to can help stymie a premature demise.
  Due to lack of space and wanting a diverse landscape will always keep my interests
where they do me the world of good and make life more enjoyable.