All plants grown in the high wind prairie, Midwest, in macro-climate zone 5(ish). Average dewpoint in summer is around 60. Soil is a loamy clay. Although my preference is organic, I have used commercial fertilizers from time to time. Gardening personality relaxed and experimental, purist about very little. Growing Days approximately 135
I like to think about what might be possible, and just give it a go ~Craig LeHoullier 2022
The Plan
Purchase a 2-3′ Royal Ann cherry tree from Lowes. They have a veteran’s discount and one of the most generous perennial/tree/shrub refund policies of any company I am aware of (one year). Other trees purchased from Lowes have done well, at least until the rabbits do all the bad things to them. As it is past prime planting season, I plan to pot the small cherry tree and baby it until the best in-ground planting timeframe next spring. I had the potting soil ready, some native soil ready to mix in to assist acclimation, some vermiculite the lighten the soil and a happy attitude about the whole thing. All I needed was the whip.
Well, on the whip. A whip is a small bare-root tree about 2-3 feet tall and about a half inch wide or less. When you get a whip through the mail, it’s so light the box feels empty. There is literally a stick in a box with a few roots, usually wrapped in wet paper and kept moist with a plastic covering.
The Reality
I received a heavy box. I figured, well perhaps the whip is in a narrow pot with a lot of soil. A LOT of soil. No, the weight was the tree. A TREE. This little monster was likely 5-6′ tall with a large root ball before it was hacked top and bottom to fit in the box. It is almost 2 inches in diameter.
Chopped is a TV show on Food Network, not something that should be done to a tree of this size, especially when mailed to me during a heat wave. Seriously, Lowes should have just said Out Of Stock. It was late in the season, that wouldn’t have surprised nor annoyed me.
Seeing this girthy monster, I have two choices. I can repackage this heavy tree and ship it back for a refund, assuring its death. Or, I can pretend I can actually grow this beast and give it a shot at life. If it doesn’t work, I can still get a refund until June of 2024.
To be clear, the tree gods seem to hate me, considering all the fruit tree issues I have had. Maybe it’s the Great and Powerful Rabbit God.
Actually, it is the Rabbit God, and I hate that deity as much as as his minions love chewing up my trees.
I am going to try to save this tree. I am well aware my chances are as slim as the whip I was supposed to get. I have a few notes in my favor. The tree arrived in great shape, for what it went through to get to me. It had a small amount of green growth, just a few leaves, and the roots have been soaking up water like a champ. The tree is going to require a great deal of water to not die. I have the time and desire to give this tree my best. Whether I have the ability remains to be seen.
Godspeed cherry tree.
Much Love,
C
The End