Phoenixberries.
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?
A 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!
After 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.