I blogged about this tree for Parul's bi monthly #ThursdayTreeLove back in 2018 but it's worth a repeat.
Consider this tree, which I photographed back on August 19.
Now think of tenacity, and some of its meanings. . Determination. Persistence.
Tenacity. The ability to grow where it was planted, and flourish despite all odds.
The lessons of a tree that grew in Brooklyn and inspired a best selling novel.
In 1943, a novel called A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith was
published. It was the story of an impoverished 11 year old girl,
Francene Nolan, who, during the course of the novel, endures many
hardships. When the book ends, Francene is seventeen and is ready to
embark on her adult life.
Like the tree in the yard of her apartment building, Francene survives
all that life throws at her. The tree is destroyed again and again, but sprouts again, and survives.
I fell in love with that book when I read it as a young teen. As someone who grew up in New York City, I was quite familiar with that
tree. It is a survivor.
The tree is called Ailanthus altissima. Or Chinese sumac. Another
name is the tree of Heaven, which may be a sarcastic name. It is
quite invasive, grows rapidly, and can live up to 100 years or more. If
chopped down, it will regrow from its roots. And, quite literally, the
tree can stink.
Back in 2015, when spouse and I had to make frequent trips to a northern suburb of New York City during the summer, I was amazed to see how it was taking over the roadsides of one of the parkways north of New York City.
With climate change, its range is rapidly expanding, and it now grows
where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State. It isn't just
there, either - if you head west on NY 17 towards Bath, New York, you'll
find it there, too as I did earlier this month.
But still...that tenacity. You have to admire this tree, even as you are saddened by its spread.
Joining Parul of Happiness and Food each second and fourth Thursday of the month for her #ThursdayTreeLove.
... Ailanthus altissima grows there too. I'm fond of it, the reddish seeds are attractive now.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am familiar with Ailanthus excelsa. This is amazing tree. Thanks for sharing. And I must try to get hold of the book "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".
ReplyDeleteSo many things to be learned by observing our leafy neighbours! My SIL said this the other day: You plant your flowers in the best soil, then tend and weed and lavish love and attention on them and coax them to live and blossom. And a dandilion goes, "Yay! Concrete!"
ReplyDeleteYep. Tenacity.
I'm a suburban child, but my dad was from Brooklyn. He loved that book and I read it because he recommended it. I loved it too.
ReplyDeleteAnd that tree...
But the book. I just loved it so much/Carol Cassara
ReplyDeleteThat is my favorite book from my school days. Chinese Sumac is a problem tree in Georgia. But I am glad to learn what the tree is.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'm familiar with that particular variety of tree being on the West Coast but some trees last through anything.
ReplyDeleteI do remember the book from the school library, but don't remember the story, or if I ever read it. I think I only liked the title.
ReplyDeleteChinese sumac are prohibited in a few cities in my state,considered a "nuisance plant." Besides their invasive nature, they actually poison the soil so other plants can't grow there.
It's pretty, but I wouldn't want it if only for the stink!
I am only familiar with that book via all the jokes made about the title in cartoons. I'll have to find it and read it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteFascinating history of the tree! Hadn't heard of that particular variety before but a Tree Grows in Brooklyn was my favorite book as an 8th and 9th grade. I must have read it over 100 times. Such a good story!
ReplyDeletebetty
I must find the book. Loved that you shared about the book and the tree. Thanks for joining, Alana! See you tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI read the book, perhaps in my eary teens or younger and only remembered a couple of scenes. Thank you for refreshing my memory. The word "invasive" is interesting. I tend to use "prolific" but I also like the word tenacity and do admire the ones that spread and come back like my beautiful mimosas.
ReplyDeleteFascinating link of this tree, your childhood book, and sadly, its spread.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with your post, thanks for inspiring - so much to learn from the trees, and I enjoyed the story too. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete