The black walnut tree on the west side of the driveway at Graywood Farm is loaded with nuts this fall. Great Grandma Clara Eichler raised this tree in her garden at her house on Michigan Avenue in Pigeon. There were at least four walnut trees around her house and she would nurture the little trees in the garden.
Ed and his father John Eichler moved the tree using a John Deere bucket tractor, maybe in 1980. We had moved to the farm in 1979 and Grandma wanted the tree out of her garden. The tree was probably 15 years old when it was moved. All of that math makes the tree 45 years old.
John was concerned that the tree wouldn't grow after transplanting it since the tap root had to be cut off. The tree took a few years rest but has come to really like its anchor location near the farmhouse. When the leaves are out on the black walnut, usually by Mother's Day in May, we know that spring has come to the farm.
Copyright 2011
Wanda Hayes Eichler
No comments:
Post a Comment