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Phoenixberries.

October 15th, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

new persimmon
Back in 2006 our beloved persimmon tree was cut down. I was quite torn up about it. Well for a while now, as pictured at right, there’s been bushy growth around the rotting stump. We let it grow, because I was curious. Could it be that the persimmon tree was rising from the ashes?


new persimmon fruitA couple of weeks ago I caught a flash of something orange out of the corner of my eye as I pulled into the driveway. I went out to inspect it and saw fruit. Yes! Three years after Duke Energy mowed it down, the persimmon tree is back, baby!

saddleback caterpillarAfter taking some pictures, I set aside my camera and pulled off the honeysuckle vines that were wrapped around the boughs. It was a spur of the moment action, so I didn’t put on any gloves. I worked for about five minutes and felt a prick on my hand. I figured I’d hit a thorn on another vine, so although it really stung, I didn’t think much more of it. A minute later in a different part of the tree, I felt another sting. This one hurt more, and it got stronger. Turns out it wasn’t a thorn, it was a saddleback caterpillar hiding under a leaf. Please note: if you see one of these, don’t touch it. Trust me on this one. I went inside and iced my hand, and eventually the sting faded.

It wasn’t great getting stung, but I’ll take it as a good omen that the tree is already sheltering new life. I look forward to seeing more wildlife, hopefully of the non-attacking-me variety, soon.

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  1. October 16th, 2009 at 15:12 | #1

    Ohh! I have great empathy for you. I grew up with a yard that was a seasonal home of choice to literally hundreds of Spiny Elm Caterpillars. Black spiney harbingers of pain and dooooom! The bit in their online bio that says they live and feed in groups is a bit misleading. Replace group with horde and you’ve got a better idea. Lots of childhood horror stories involving stinging caterpillars.

    Make sure you removed all stingers, placing celophane tape over the sting sites and removing quickly should do it. Luckily all the bee sting remedies work great for caterpillar’s too! ::hugs::

  2. Anonymous
    October 18th, 2009 at 22:05 | #2

    Persimmon tree

    I, too, share your love for persimmon trees. And although I like electricity, I, too, hate seeing special trees cut down. So huzzah! for your tree! -Laura

  3. Anonymous
    October 21st, 2009 at 00:41 | #3

    Re: Persimmon tree

    Just be glad it wasn’t harboring a Puma. Not poisonous, but you wouldn’t want to run into one.

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