Sun Specs At The Ready!

Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle

Basking in a blaze of Laburnum

I’m not certain whether it was the long chill winter, or the lack of spring rain, or the shock to its system when a couple of leggy limbs were sawn through in late February, but the laburnum tree at the entrance to our property has exploded in the best show of blooms for years. We are utterly grateful as it fills the eye with bright colour as soon as we turn into the street.

We live at the far end of a cul-de-sac. When we moved in, ours and the property opposite both had a laburnum. Their limbs forming an arch to the final pair of houses. Sadly only our tree remains, and even it is now leaning with age. Getting nutrients when tarmac abuts its trunk must be a struggle.

Laburnums are native to southern European climes and were brought to Britain in the 1500s as exhibition specimens to grace the formal gardens of the rich and powerful. The trees can still be found in the now open gardens of stately homes, often trained over extended arches to form a tunnel of pendulous racemes. They are a wonder and a delight to walk through.

A laburnum’s flowering season is short — a mere three weeks — which mirrors its life expectancy of 30–40 years. Perhaps this will be the last great show of ours.

But nature always finds a way. Our neighbour over the fence has discovered spindly saplings in her border and is zealously guarding them. Our parent tree might be failing, but her offspring will continue its wondrous splendour.

Thanks to Mary Chang Story Writer for the publication, and do check out these writers for blossoming stories to make you smile: Vidya Sury, Dennett, Elin Melaas, Penny Grubb, Ellie Jacobson, Madeleine McDonald, Randy Runtsch, pockett dessert, Sandi Parsons and Susan Alison.

Read more stories from Linda Acaster.