Tree Candles

   As a kid, I often overheard Mom saying that the pine trees were decorated with their candles.  When I first heard this, I began to get excited, even though, I knew it was springtime.  To me, decorating any sort of tree meant Christmas and I had seen the candles that used to be used on Christmas trees "back in the day"...so putting two and two together, I came up with the wrong answer.  It was not Christmas and Mom was not referring to wax candles to be lit on the tree. Crazy talk...but she was not wrong...I was wrong.  She was referring to the new growth shoots on the pine trees in the woods. The new growth on pine trees does indeed resemble the Christmas Tree candles of long ago and...get this...those new shoots are called candles!

  Here is a tidbit of information about those "candles" for anyone who wishes to have a small, well maintained pine tree in the garden.  Once those candles appear, it is time to do some trimming which is actually called "candling" in the gardening world.  Usually, the new shoots can be broken by hand or using just hand snips.  Trimming back these shoots will encourage thicker branches and, also, inhibit rampant growth overall...at least, so say the experts.  I have never tried it as I do not have space in my gardens for a squatty pine tree.  In fact, I wish the few tall ones that are near the house were gone altogether.  Pine trees and hurricanes do not play nicely and the trees usually wind up snapped.  

  While I have no plans to go out breaking the candles from the tops of pine trees, the sight of them brings back some fond memories of taking walks in the woods with Mom.  Pop taught me most of what I know about planting but it was Mom who taught me the sweet names and some folklore about things found in the woods.  I sure miss Mom and Pop.  As I age, that missing becomes stronger and stronger.  I miss their knowledge, their strict rules and, mostly, their kind ways. Very few people are like that nowadays.  Anyway...look at the pine trees!  They are decorated with candles just about now and it is not even Christmas yet!