A Fallen Giant

On August 1, 2008 the Old Apricot tree standing in front and to the north of my grandparents old home (where Caden & Texie now live) fell to the ground. There was no wind but JJ Martinez's family were the first to hear the loud crack and groan as the tree tipped over. Texie said their little boy came up to the door and kept saying excitedly "Your tree, your tree..." Texie said, "You can go ahead and pick some apricots if you want". Finally the older sister said, "No, your tree tipped over!" Texie went and and saw the tree on the ground. Garrett & Joanne were supposed to be there picking apricots, but they had decided to come the next day because of conflicts. In hindsight we were very thankful they were not there picking because it could of been a disaster if it had fell on someone up on the ladder picking fruit. We all brought boxes and buckets and picked all the fruit we could reach and many that had fallen to the ground. Earlier in the week Orval and Effie Barnes and family had been there and also picked apricots. They had raved on how wonderful they were and that they had made some fresh apritcot pies to eat.

The tree did have a bumper crop of apricots, but again the tree had always seemed to abundantly produce apricots for many to enjoy, and this was with very little care. Even without being sprayed the fruit never had any worms or bugs. We had made lots of Jam from this tree through the years. It was the one tree that had remained in the "Orchard Grove" that had once had many trees according to Grandpa's history. I had only remembered one other old pear tree to the east when I was a small child. I do remember roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over a fire pit in the grassy area between.

As I thought about this great tree with its history, it made me think of how strong, loyal, and faithful it had been in giving of itself, right up untill the very end. Dad (Grandpa Ed) says that the tree had been there as long as he could remember and Owen Wayment (who is about 10 yrs. older than Dad) also states the same thing. We estimate the tree to be near 100 years old. It appeared that the trunk had rotted out and broke near the bottom. It was amazing that it had never declined in production of fruit even though it was fighting to stay alive. It was sad to see such a giant fall, and also the end of an era. Enjoy the apricot jam and heritage that our Grandparents have left us from their hard work.