Thoughts on planting trees and the passage of time

Reflections on the benefits of tree planting. Of all the things that you look back and wish you had done years ago so you could be enjoying the benefits today, trees, not least fruit trees, are near the top of the list.

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• peach
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[BJBlitzstein]

Not to be off topic, but are you losing weight?

[stephenhayesuk]

@BJBlitzstein Thanks for the enquiry about my weight. Not really, only 1 kg so far, I'm just wearing a T shirt in this video and filming myself at an advantageous angle!

I am on a diet for the last 2 weeks but I have great difficulty denying myself calorific 'rewards' , my family seem geneticaly programmed to hold on to the lard. If I can master a bit of self control there may be less of me by the apple harvest.

[Caspar33]

Great meditation on planting trees. Wonder if you saw Andrew Norris' last post on some 200 year old pear trees near his village (allegedly planted by Napoleonic foot soldiers)? Anyway - inspirational, thanks.

[stephenhayesuk]

@Caspar33 Thanks, must check it. Napoleon for his many faults did a lot of tree planting (see my video from last year about driving in Provence along tree lined avenues). Having said that, most of England's oak forests were cut down to provide ships, cannon and gunpowder to fight him.

war, not good for trees.

[docsimonson]

Your rambling is one of the reasons that I watch your videos. I don't consider it rambling as much as having a sit down with a friend. I did think it a bit rude that you had wine and didn't offer any to me, but I had a nice glass of water instead. As I look back, I can't help but be grateful for the life that God has given me. I've met many people throughout the world, and now He has planted me here in New Jersey. I am planting trees here, and even if I move again, they are a part of my legacy.

[axiomatic272]

@TTLM77 That's one of the most cheerful and wholesome comments anyone has posted here, thanks. If we all planted trees for our children, and did other things (and indeed stopped doing some things) with them in mind, what a wonderful world.........

[MadBadVoodo]

You are a smart man Stephen and you give great advice...

★★★★★

[jonewer]

Nice ramblings! On one hand I'm glad to have planted 5 trees in my very modest garden but on the other hand your video makes me accutely aware that the clock is ticking on my aspiration to own a few acres of my own.......

[PortagePenennials]

Well said. In the past four years, we've planted over 500 trees and bushes on our property, mostly native species and mostly dug up from the side of the road before the municipal road crews brush cut them. And we've been planting oaks - white, red, burr - in clusters that ought to confuse the hell out of someone in the future. Hehehe....

[LSUTigerMom]

I Love treesI planted a lemon tree 11 years ago to celebrate my young son's basketball team's first win. He was in 5th grade at the time and just recently graduated from Louisiana State University!. When we moved, I took the tree with me and it's now in our backyard, covered in lemons. I see that you enjoy music so please enjoy a YouTube video of my daughter singing. If you go to "Per la gloria d'adorarvi - Carolyn" you can listen to it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy your videos.

[DrewDubious]

Welcome to your own legacy ^^

[ProfKSE]

@stephenhayesuk Stephen, we seem to be following much the same path. I'm planting trees for my children and grandchildren to enjoy. My first 4 apple trees in my Woods Orchard were killed their first winter by rabbits girding them. I didn't give up (I seem to have inherited a stubborn streak) and now, 8 years later, the orchard --25 trees now--will produce its first real crop. The effort and sweat is mine but the glory belongs to Christ.

[SGR1000]

Great video, that's the point isn't it? Everyone always states "I wish I could have went back and changed this or that" ..... But you wouldn't have had what you have now, you would have had lots of perry, and you would be sitting in the video reflecting how you wished you had planted the ones you now have :)

[gavinwph]

Im 21 and have always wanted to have my own small orchard, I think I have watched almost all of your videos which has inspired me further to get an orchard. Being at university I cant get land now but will one day, when I do, without a doubt some perry pear trees will be planted! Keep up the good work (and the rambling!), every one of your videos are brilliant.