Happy Arbor Day

I love trees! It all started with a large cherry tree in our yard when I was about 8 years old. My brother and I, along with some friends, would climb it to eat the sweet cherries and throw the pits at people below and watch their reactions and also spy on the neighbors. Amazing that we never got caught! When I started to make baskets I began to notice all of the different parts of a tree that could be incorporated into basket making. I began to gather pine needles, pine cones, nuts, bark and twigs wherever I went. I have containers full of my treasures for future baskets! Sixteen years ago my family and I bought two acres of an existing u-cut Christmas tree farm that had over two thousand evergreen trees on it and we suddenly found ourselves in the Christmas tree business for the next 10 years.  I found myself learning about how to grow and take care of Noble, Grand and Douglas Fir, White Pine and Colorado Blue Spruce trees. The colors, shapes and scents of all of these trees are incredible and I look forward every year to walking out of our back door to find the perfect Christmas tree (whatever that is?). After closing the tree farm, my husband and I have landscaped and added several fruit and ornamental trees to replace the evergreen trees. This opened up some of the fields to allow more sun to surround our house and add beauty and supply us with fresh fruit to eat. I keep buying and planting (with the help from family) trees that I will be able to make baskets out of someday including Corkscrew Willow and Birch trees. The bad economy had my husband and I deciding once again to purchase Noble Fir seedlings knowing that we could generate some income in the future by selling Christmas trees or cutting greens for wreaths. My husband and daughter planted over 140 Noble Fir seedlings in March, so don't worry, because we have all of you covered for planting a tree for Arbor Day! My family keeps telling me "no more trees", but trees are amazing!  They offer almost everything that we need to survive, plus so much more.

(The "acorn hat" basket pictured above was made with Ponderosa Pine needles, raffia and the tops of acorns and filled with fresh acorns.)