Sunday, May 27, 2007

Kilmer was right ....

We really miss the Mango tree. Who would have thought that a tree which merely developed a Pisa-like lean toward the south during hurricane Andrew would fall toward the north, during Katrina? The night it fell, we heard the roots cracking and groaning like wind-stressed branches. In fact, we did not realize we had lost the whole tree until after the storm was over.

Even before the Key Lime and the Grapefruit were cut down by the state, beneath the Mango was our best shady retreat. Now, the Coconut tree is the shelter of choice from the sun. You have to negotiate your shady spot if more than a few people want to be cool.

So, we are thinking about replacing the Mango. Each time I look into another species' shortcomings and advantages, it always brings me back to missing the Mango.

I think the fruit of a Mango tree should be free, for picking and sharing, from your own back yard. And, don't get me started on the Key Lime ....

6 comments:

Big Ed said...

Oh yes, the Key Lime, I miss that tree the most. More than the Mango, since I don't like mangos as much as you do. I suggest we get any tree. Another coconut tree would be great, but expensive. Even though we might have a coconut tree jr on the way. Let's not get another ficus. Shady, but weak in the roots, I remember seeing plenty of these trees rolled sideways on thier side. It was a strange sight to see after Andrew.

Anonymous said...

I take it Kilmer was Joyce and not Val. Trees, trees - I vote umbrella. No, not an Umbrella Tree but an umbrella, with one of those round tables to sit at and enjoy a cold lemonade. Or Key limeade. Either that or a shady dining tent to set up and put a picnic table inside. Oh, the joy of letting down the netting and keeping out the flies. Can't do that with your standard tree.

This is coming from the end of Florida that has 70 foot high Pecan trees hovering over the power lines. If my vote for an umbrella gets quashed, then maybe an Avocado tree would be a nice choice......

RANGER said...

My favorite avocado trees are the ones in other people's yards. Generous people who like to share, for choice.

We tried growing one much earlier in life and when the tap root reached the depth of the water table, it died. Thirteen feet down, when we dug the well, years ago. Probably lower now, but still.

Anonymous said...

T.'s Mom had the best buttery tasting and good sized fruit on her Avocado - absolutely delish with a squeeze of lemon or lime and a dash of salt. Or, in a tomato and lettuce salad with onion and a little mayo. I hated to see that tree go and so did half her neighborhood. Hmmm, sounds like some of us are still grieving its loss!

Zeta said...

When the mango factory tree in Ranger's back yard went out of business, I was devastated. My emotion was hidden; however, I still felt the pain of NO MORE FREE GOOD TASTSING MANGOS. S. aka my son still owes me a mango tree from childhood. Since he destroyed both my mango growing plants with his toy sword when he was eight years of age, I told him at least one of them had to be replaced. Hum, will this be done by Dec. 15, 2007? 201 days until the wedding. Oh Oh.

RANGER said...

We bought the Haden Mango at Hart's Popular Priced Nursery. It's no longer in business and the original Mr. Hart is long gone. Mr. Hart told us to be sure not to plant any tree over a large rock as it would do poorly if we did. So, we were careful.

Evidently the huge, old Haden on 7th Court was not planted over a rock either. There is a MetroRail Station there, now. What a memorial ....