I wasn't going to post anything about this tree, since I may have trespassed in order to propagate it. I named it after him, however, so I feel like I should post it now.
When I was a kid, I remember riding by this tree on the school bus. I remember seeing it in the 90s and wondering if someone could graft it. This was long before I knew how to propagate conifers, so I didn't try.
I had largely forgotten about the tree until Dad told me about it about 10 years ago. He and a friend had some car trouble right by the tree, and they noticed its unusual form.
It is a Western Larch, Larix occidentalis, of which there are only a couple of cultivars. That winter, I got some scions and grafted it up. Only one took, and it has been growing in my garden ever since. While the original is maybe 20 feet high, the one here is only about three feet high. Last year the beavers felled a poplar onto it, breaking the leader. I was able to train up a new leader, so it is still fine (if a bit ugly at the moment.)
I named it after Dad because we both had a love of trees- conifers in particular.
I remember when I was six, Dad and I went for a walk in the woods behind our house. I remember telling him that I had a favorite tree, and that I wanted to show it to him. He told me that he already knew which one it was. He was right- it was a Pinus monticola that lived behind our house in the woods. The species had been severely impacted by the accidental introduction of White Pine Blister Rust in the first half of the 20th century. Dad and I both had a love for that species. They are handsome trees- usually very straight with evenly spaced terraces of branches. The needles are soft and blue, and the fragrance of the foliage and sap is pleasing. On the property where I grew up, there were survivors of the plague. Dad always spoke of them with a special reverence.
During the past 25 years, we planted thousands of tree seedlings on our property- many of which were Pinus monticola. Because the species was once very commercially valuable for window and door frames, there were significant efforts made to breed disease-resistant strains. The seedlings we planted were from those strains. It is fun to watch the species re-establish itself in the forests on our property.
I wasn't able to help Dad plant seedlings during the past two years. He continued to plant thousands- even in his 80s. His commitment to the land and the future was strong, even though he knew he wouldn't' be around to see it.
Dad was always a source of strength and support for me. He encouraged me through my career troubles in the past several years, and went with me on several ridiculous plant outings.
Things have been difficult since his passing. I often find myself thinking about the time we got stuck in the snow a few years back. I was scared and didn't know what to do. I clearly remember him saying, "Well, we just have to keep digging" as he worked to get the truck unstuck. I will never forget his calm and pragmatic attitude in the face of a very serious situation. I will miss his wisdom and perspective.
Dad was a kid during the Great Depression. His father had abandoned the family when he was young, and Dad went to work in a sawmill at 15 to help support the family. His work ethic was legendary- they just don't make people like that anymore. In the weeks since his passing, I've heard from many of his friends and acquaintances. Everyone talks about what a crazy hard worker his was- and about his willingness to help other people out.
Growing up, I was raised to believe that you just helped people when they needed it. If your neighbors needed help putting up hay or doing some work on their house- you just went and helped them. In the future, they would do the same for you. I feel that we are losing those values and social structures. In remembrance of my dad, I would like to help keep those values alive. I plan to volunteer more, and to help my neighbors and friends with more projects and work around their places.
The other way in which I want to further my Dad's legacy is by propagating this larch. If you are a conifer person and are interested in scions, please let me know. I want to share this tree far and wide to honor Dad's memory.
I expect it to slowly make its way out into the conifer trade. Keep an eye out for Larix occidentalis 'Ray Griffith'.
