The Walnut Tree
" A woman a dog and a walnut tree
the more you beat 'em the better they be."
Having a wife, two daughters, four sisters, a
Mother and numerous nieces and female cousins , I'd be a brave man to try the
first!
Dogs I have played with, fought with , been
bitten by (and bitten back ), but never beaten - at least outside the realms of
play.
Of the
three, the third might be a viable and legal practice ; certainly there are numerous plants that
flower more profusely in response to stress (I.E. lack of water) and possibly
over the years it has been observed that Walnut trees benefit from the
occasional good storm, which presumably the beating was meant to mimic in the
hope of obtaining a better crop.
I was bought up with the idea that Walnut trees
were something you planted for your Grandchildren , presumable because they are
either slow growing or reach maturity slowly.
As such planting a Walnut tree was a gift to
future generations, showing confidence, optimism and generosity and we are one
of the generations to inherit this one.
It stands appropriately enough in the grounds of
The Walnut Tree Surgery on the corner of Carlton road and Milton Road, in the
rear garden slightly overhanging the alleyway that runs parallel with Carton
Road; from it's diameter, which I would estimate at a couple of feet I would
guess it to be 100 to 150 years old, either planted about the time the local
housing was built or pre-dating that, as the remnant of a former estate. Easily
missed by those not looking for it, it stands proud, protected by law and
a appreciated by the local residents, squirrel and human alike.
It's moment comes each year in the Autumn storms,
when it showers unsuspecting passers-by with Walnuts, making a good case for a
Hard hat and leaving some wondering where all the nuts came from.
A couple of years ago I watched a squirrel bury a
Walnut in a pot outside a neighbour's house and sure enough a few months later a
small Walnut germinated , this was re-potted and sent to be planted in
a field in Norton St Philips, hopefully a gift for those to come.