Thank you. It is a flowering apricot tree, but is actually the understock of a purple leaf plum that was removed years ago, merely because someone who worked here at the time disliked bronzed foliage. It was a lame reason to remove the original tree, but this somehow grew in as a ‘normal’ tree. Anyway, a few years ago, while my associate and I were debating its removal so that we could replace it with another weeping willow, Landon, who was only about five years old at the time, got off his school bus nearby, and came over to see what we were doing. He told us how much he likes the tree, and described how it behaved through the year for the past several years. He noted that it defoliates for autumn, and then blooms spectacularly for late winter, and that it does so every year, and then left with his father. As he left, I realized that, at the time, he was in kindergarten, so only five years old. He could not have noticed such cycles for more than a few years. We did not question his authority though. The tree remains!
Although I have enjoyed it, I do not recommend it for those to whom it does not come naturally, especially here, where the cost of living is famously excessive.
Tony Tomeo 
Beautiful!
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Thank you. It is a flowering apricot tree, but is actually the understock of a purple leaf plum that was removed years ago, merely because someone who worked here at the time disliked bronzed foliage. It was a lame reason to remove the original tree, but this somehow grew in as a ‘normal’ tree. Anyway, a few years ago, while my associate and I were debating its removal so that we could replace it with another weeping willow, Landon, who was only about five years old at the time, got off his school bus nearby, and came over to see what we were doing. He told us how much he likes the tree, and described how it behaved through the year for the past several years. He noted that it defoliates for autumn, and then blooms spectacularly for late winter, and that it does so every year, and then left with his father. As he left, I realized that, at the time, he was in kindergarten, so only five years old. He could not have noticed such cycles for more than a few years. We did not question his authority though. The tree remains!
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What amazing insight for such a young child. Perhaps he will be looking to take over from you in a few years! LOL!
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Oh goodness NO! He should pursue a respectable career.
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LOL! Well, I consider your profession as respectable anyway. 🌴
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Although I have enjoyed it, I do not recommend it for those to whom it does not come naturally, especially here, where the cost of living is famously excessive.
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