by Sherry Denecker

Created on: May 25, 2010

A Tree For Arthur

I love dogs. and I especially love my two dogs, Arthur and Chamomile. When we purchased our new log cabin with the giant fenced in back yard I was so excited. I would landscape the yard and Arthur would finally have what every male dog dreams of, his  own tree. Chamomile would  finally have some wonderful shade. I researched my local nurseries as well as the web looking for the fastest growing trees I could find. I settled on poplars. They were reasonably priced and according to the growers they would be giants before I knew it. I purchased 3 with the intentions of planting them all.

Now I am used to gardening in soil that can be turned over relatively easily with a shovel. Who knew that the ground on my newly purchased lot was a mixture of caliche, clay and rocks bigger than my dog! It took me two days to dig a hole large enough to plant the first tree. I was exhausted, but excited. The dogs were excited too as they sat a few feet away, with their eyes fixed on the hole. I planted the tree, watered it. then went inside.

I returned the following day with shovel in hand ready for hole number two. As I opened the gate I saw it.  A trail of little green leaves leading around the doghouse. When I made may around the back I found the trunk, or should I say what was left of the trunk. I could have been mad, but I am an optimist. I grabbed tree number two and placed it in the hole being thankful it was already dug. This time I would have the foresight to place some chicken wire around the tree.

That seemed to do the trick, at least for a few days, but Arthur took delight  in marking the tiny sapling every chance he got. . Soon the leaves began to yellow and show sign of distress. I covered the chicken wire with plastic and the leaves recovered,  but  as  the tiny tree grew up over the chicken wire, Arthur nipped off the top. He continued to do this until finally the little tree could take no more and it shriveled up and died.

The third and final tree went into the hole with a taller piece of chicken wire surrounding. It. For weeks, it too did well. Arthur did his business on the plastic covering and seemed contented to leave the tree alone. One day, however, as I went to water the tree, I realized ...it was gone again! This time a strategic hole had been  dug  under  the  chicken wire and the tree and the dirt had been removed. I glanced over at the dogs, noticing the mud around their mouths and the guilty look on their faces. The green leaf in Arthur’s hair was the dead give-away. I was out of patience and out of trees. I stomped into the house defeated. But only for the moment.

I returned with a large box in my hand. Both dogs sat on the doghouse watching’ as I removed the wooden pole. One by one I placed the green branches into the color coordinated holes. Little by little it took shape. I placed it into the hole and stood back to look at the towering fake pine tree. Arthur exuberently sniffed around it looking for just the right place to mark.

The artificial tree really looks great in the yard. Best of all it is no maintenance! Next week I think I'll plant grass.

Learn more about this author, Sherry Denecker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.