I planted this cherry tree a few years ago to brighten up the view from my office window. Despite being in not very lovely soil, and in the path of the north wind, it's grown a treat and this week it has sprung again into blossom - one day there are mere hints of buds, the next it's smothered in ridiculously overdone pink froth. The blossom will only last a week or two - or until a strong wind blows - but while it's here I love it. (And shan't chop it down despite the advice of a sensible but boring gardener who says it's going to get too big, and is beautiful for such a short time it doesn't earn its keep - who said beauty has to be long-lasting?)
One of the greatest joys is the way that passers-by respond to the tree. A father picked up his small toddler and put his face right up to the blossom so he could feel it - the toddler was overjoyed and crowed so loudly that I looked up from my desk to see who was outside. Later a family came past on its way to see the steam trains - the dad was fixated on the trains and marched ahead, but the children stopped short and made him come back to admire the tree. As I said - who says beauty has to earn its keep?
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