Tuesday, September 10, 2013

MAJESTIC MULBERRY TREE

Ranger Jason Guidry and Don Schneider pictured with the largest red mulberry tree in North Carolina.  Schneider owns the tree and received a certificate from North Carolina Big Tree Program in 2012 for his outstanding tree.  (Photo, courtesy of CLAY COUNTY PROGRESS).


A special tree,
you tower above the forest,
catching sunlight with
heart-shaped leaves.

More than an ornament,
you amaze our state
with your unusual size
and grace a century.

You lift a 69-foot crown,
toss your hair in the clouds,
offering milky white sap,
and cradle baby birds.

You hold a piece of history
in your wrinkled hands:
windstorms, fires, floods.
Your feet cleave to Clay County.
                   --Brenda Kay Ledford

Don Schneider lives off Tusquittee Road in Hayesville, NC in a historic home built by Captain Moore during the Civil War.  His majestic mulberry tree is located behind his home. 

3 comments:

Susie Swanson said...

Wow, that is awesome Brenda. I congratulate him on this award. Love your poem. Your writing always amazes me. Hope you and your mother are doing good and enjoying the beautiful weather..

Connie said...

What a magnificent old tree! It has seen a lot over the years. Your poem captured it perfectly, Brenda.

Janet, said...

What a lovely poem. . . and a fascinating tree.