My FAVORITE Tree

Summary

The author fondly recalls spending a significant portion of their childhood climbing and enjoying the company of two cherished cherry trees in their communist-style garden, which provided a sense of freedom and refuge.

Abstract

The author describes their deep connection with two cherry trees from their childhood garden, which was small yet filled with fruit-bearing trees due to the family's limited space under communist rule. Despite the regime's past confiscation of their grandparents' land, the family cultivated an impressive garden, including a cherry tree that towered over their house. The author spent countless hours climbing the trees, finding solace and a unique view of the world from their branches. The trees, one of which extended into the neighbor's yard, were central to the author's summer experiences, serving as a sanctuary and a source of joy and adventure. Although attempts to build a bridge between the trees and the neighbor's property led to falls and the eventual removal of the makeshift bridge, the memories of time spent in the trees remain a cherished treasure for the author.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound affection for the cherry trees, considering them to be among the greatest trees one could see.
The trees are perceived as a source of comfort and safety, described as a refuge from any troubles.
The author values the sense of exploration and adventure provided by the trees, despite the impracticality of building a bridge between them.
The trees are personified, with the author suggesting that if trees had souls, these would have ascended to heaven, indicating a deep spiritual or emotional connection.

I think I Spent About HALF My Life In That Tree

Our garden was Communist-style. That meant that in front of the house there was a little square patch of Earth packed with as many fructiferous trees as it could hold.

This was because all of my grandparents’ lands were taken off of them by the Communist regime. So with the little space they had, they attempted to cultivate a bountiful garden.

In time they got their lands back, and that square patch of earth still held some of the GREATEST trees you would have ever seen.

Our Cherry Tree:

We had a giant cherry tree, as big as the house. It was, in fact, slightly taller than our house. It grew the types of cherries that are small and stain like hell. I loved those cherries.

Nobody had bothered to trim all the low branches so even at age 7, I could get up there and climb all the way to the top.

And that’s how I spent my summers. On the opposite side of our yard, we had a giant walnut tree. It didn’t grow quite as large mainly because of the type of tree it was. But it was still large enough that if it ever fell it would knock down a wall or something.

The Handholds:

I knew every handhold of those trees intimately. The rough bark left dirty marks on my skin as my little arms rubbed on the branches. I wasn’t exactly swinging from one branch to the other like Tarzan, but I felt comfortable up there.

I could find little spots where I could chill and enjoy the view. The whole world was laid out in front of me from there, and I was removed from my immediate surroundings and responsibilities (not that I had too many of those as a kid).

I felt safe, protected, and as if it was my refuge from anything that bothered me.

I spent inordinate amounts of hours up in those trees during my life. It was magical.

The Neighbor’s Yard:

Eventually, our cherry tree grew so large that it reached into our neighbor’s yard. They had a cherry tree too. It was much darker than ours, for whatever reason. And grew different types of cherries.

Our families were friendly enough that I could go in there if I wanted without asking for permission, but for me, it was uncharted territory.

Since the trees nearly touched I spent summers trying to build a bridge across them, which was a stupid idea. I fell from a low height many times, but the bridge I built also looked hideous and neither my family nor the neighbors wanted it built.

My FAVORITE Tree

I think I Spent About HALF My Life In That Tree

Our Cherry Tree:

The Handholds:

The Neighbor’s Yard:

The Treasure: