I’m one of those people that gets a little…just a little… attached to most living things. It may sound silly although when I put my heart and soul into nurturing a living thing it becomes a part of me. It’s who I am and definitely stands for the kind of person I am.
I nurture all my plants in my little fenced yard. About 3 years ago I nurtured a palm and then donated it to our community to take the place of a diseased tree they had to get rid of. They exchanged the bare spot with my palm and it has flourished and grown to almost 20 feet! It shades my bedroom window and it not only benefit our community ….but our shading
comfort.
Well, I nurtured a fig tree for the past four years and it grew in a very big pot to 7 feet. One day I noticed that it was unusually flourishing, very very green and getting very very TALL. I tried to turn the pot around so it got sun on the other side and …it wouldn’t move. Apparently, the roots cracked the bottom and my fig tree really took off into the ground. Just a very happy camper indeed!
Well, it’s too big for our little fenced yard and we definitely cannot plant into the ground in our little yard (against association rules) so my husband cut the roots and I put an ad in Craigslist the night before last to give my tree to a loving home. YES. FREE TO A GOOD HOME.
It wasn’t but a half hour later and I received a call. I “interviewed” the caller and asked what he planned to do with the tree. After feeling comfortable that my tree would be going to a good home we made arrangement for him to pick it up the next evening.
“Byron” was a good man and he planned to plant it in his HUGE yard with the hopes it would be a nice shade tree for the kids and his doggies. He whipped out a wad of bills and wanted to give me money and I refused and I told him I just wanted my tree to go to a good home. I handed him my card and his eyes lit up. He knew a lot of people and surely he would be able to refer someone to me.
Although a little sad for having to give it up....
I’m just happy my fig tree went to a good home.
Gardeners are good at nurturing....
Just think what we do in business!
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
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Good story....got me thinking of the parable of the Fig Tree....which got me thinking that, tecnically, it's Sunday! Thanks Celeste!
Larry...It's Sat night here....although a great lesson for Sunday...or any day :) Sally
All good and kind deeds have their rewards. I believe some people call it "Pay Forward", so you nurture things, you are paying forward with so many things, Life will repay you in like kind.
I had a fig tree in my last home and can only imagine the height of your fig tree. Our fig tree brought us lots of shade and privacy. I'm presently growing orchids everywhere inside my home, and just donated one last night to a stranger on hospice. I never thought of it as nurturing but thought of it as giving someone another day to smile and enjoy the flowers on this earth. Your blog is a tender reminder of the nurturing that we need to do to others.
Hi Sally, I have a Palm tree to give you if you want a replacement. It is about 5 feet tall and is outgrowing it's pot.
Aloha Sally,
Here's a quick look at last year's crop of figs from my tree in preparation for fig jam for the holidays. I hope your tree has lots of happy fruit and that they're shared with you.
@ Maureen....I have three in pots and they are standing about 4 -5 ft. I am ready to donate another to our community if they plant it in front of my patio :) :) Thanks anyway!
Ted> It's the giving with Aloha (expecting nothing in return) is the art of giving. My only hope is those receiving just appreciate :)
Leolinda...this one was 7 ft. in a big pot. I'm hoping the man we gave it to will get much shade and enjoyment....he's wanting it to get big enough to trim like an umbrella like at Moanalua Gardens.
Hey Lynda...as long as they're happy with the tree...that's all that matters.
That is a great story of the fig tree that has a mind of its own.
Hi Sally--that's a great story and I love the fact that the fig tree found a home with someone who will also love it. Apparently your job in life is to nurture them when they are small and then find loving homes for them. Kind of like what you do in life, too, I guess!
You'll miss that tree. Figs are good for for rubbing on insect bites, boils and treating rashes on pets and children. Some people even eat them.
We don't have a fig tree at present. When we did, the birds, dogs and horses ate more than we did. Figs are enjoyed by all. Awesome gift!
I do understand how you feel........the last home I owned had a yard full of fruit trees that I had planted. They were thriving........litchi nuts, mango, cherry, star fruit, cinnamon............I drove past recently to see the new owner had removed all of them and put in PALM TREES! Just what we need, more palm trees rather than beautiful fruit producing trees. I was so sad to see this. I had even asked him about the trees. He had indicated that they would stay................
The one thing he obviously could NOT get out was the black bamboo I had planted........way to rock bamboo! Don't let him hurt you!
The bamboo is on the side of the house and towers over the home!!!d So glad it is putting up a fight!
@ David...oh, I miss that tree....but I live in a townhouse complex and it just too big for my little fenced patio. The roots went into the ground...and it was time to say goodbye.
Sally glad to hear that you are one of those people that can make things grow. I am the opposit no matter how hard I try they usually end up with negative results.
What a great story, Sally. Glad your fig tree found a good home. Are you going to visit it? :)
I understand, Sally! I got a great listing with a cactus garden and a huge fig tree. It was vacant, so I knew it was my responsibility to pick the figs in a couple of months - they were plentiful. It sold immediately and closed in 3 days. Loved the paycheck, but missed the fig tree. Got a lot of great pics, though!
Woo Hoo, I am so glad you got rid of that tree. This tree singlehandidly does or has done more damage to real property than any other plant I know of. It is invasive, heads straight to water pipes, cracks and spreads it's roots in sewer lines , cracks slab foundations, you name it, this tree does it. :-)
Sally:
Glad to hear you found a good home for your ficus. William is that true about fig trees. I love to eat figs and the leaves of the figs are so lovely. I had never heard that the fig tree roots are destructive.
Celeste, We never know when and where we can get business. You found a guy that not only took care of something you needed to get rid of, (damn association rules) but you planted another seed-- in the mind of the person that took the tree. Way to sacrifice an older tree to plant a new younger and stronger future financial tree.
Great story Sally, I have particular good childhood memories of a fig tree. .. there was only one tree in our patio home back then ;a fig tree . .and I love to climb it
Sally, great story with a very good message. Glad you found a good home for the fig tree.
I love that you interviewed the new owner! This year I was able to share from an abundance of golden raspberry plants and lilies. It's so fun spreading life around!
Wow. Talk about the gift that just keeps on giving. Very enjoyable story and well written!
Hi Sally,
You obviously have big and kind heart. Great story all the way around. I also liked that you gave the god guy who took the fig tree your card as he probably will remember you. I believe good things happen to good people.
Thanks for commenting on my Fall Miracles blog and all the hard work you personally put into the contest.
Hi Sally. Great story with a happy ending. I think it's great that you interviewed the potential parent! It can only end well.
Bruce
Sally, you are terrific. I do understand your feelings towards the living beings that trees and plants are. I become attached also. I have plants that have traveled hundreds of miles with me through the years from state to state. I love your attitude! Hum...attitude? That fits!
Great education for me. In Texas I have never seen a fig tree. I have a Ficus Benjamina in a pot that looks just like your picture but here they are always pot plants never in the ground.
Glad you found it a good home.
What a good deed Sally. You should post this in the "paying it forward" group. I am sure business will come your way from this man you gave your tree to.
Hi Sally, Nice job on finding a good home for your fig tree, and getting a fan too!
Fig tree or ficus tree ? Same thing? You are paying it forward for the tree!!! May you receive many referrals from this!
Sally, This is a true testament to the quality person you are ... caring. You took the time to care for the fig tree and the time to ensure it went to a home that would provide the same care.