Saturday dawned cool but sunny – perfect weather for planting trees! The boys were disappointed that they couldn’t come along to pick up the tree, but Teacher didn’t think there would be enough room for them and the tree.
As usual, Teacher was right; we had to put both back seats in the Suburban down for the tree to fit.
Z-Man lost no time welcoming the Larch to our yard once we got home. He and Little Guy had been counting down the days until we could bring the tree home, and now that it was finally here they were just as excited as I was.
Teacher and Jo-Bear carefully maneuvered Larch out of the Suburban. He’s a lot heavier and more awkward than he looks!
Then they grabbed the root ball, I held the trunk near the top, and Little Guy held the very top up so it wouldn’t drag.
Z-man joined the tree parade, helping Little Guy carry the top of Larch. Yes, they’re wearing matching shirts; they got themselves dressed while Teacher and I were at the nursery and decided to wear matching shirts to surprise me.
You wouldn’t think it’d be so hard to carry a tree up a driveway, but the branches kept getting in the way.
I think he looks kind of like Mr. Snuffleupagus, who used to be one of my favorite Sesame Street characters.
So, where exactly should we put it?
Teacher held Larch upright so it was easier to figure out where to put it.
Maybe it should go over here more…
While Teacher and I were figuring out where to put Larch, Angel Face got artistic with the camera.
Z-Man was so excited about the tree he couldn’t wait to call Grandma and Grandpa to have them come over to see it.
Another artsy photo by Angel Face; the pine cones are so cute!
Grandma and Grandpa approve of Larch and his positioning.
OK hun, turn him a quarter turn clockwise… No wait, back the other way… Not so much… Go back th first way… Wait… Yup, that’s perfect!
“X” marks the spot – time to dig!
And dig…
They ran into some roots from the pear tree. Uh oh!
“X” marks the spot – time to chop!
Nice work, Jo-Bear. Just keep your feet out of the way please.
And chop…
I can see progress!
And chop some more…
And dig some more…
Finally, the hole was ready! They told us to plant the tree so about 2″ of the root ball was above ground, then to cover it with mulch. Joe taught me “Plant ’em high and they’ll thrive; plant ’em low they won’t grow.”
Teacher used part of the root they’d chopped out to prop Larch up until he was filled in and staked.
I think he looks happy in his new home – don’t you?
