Hi Consensus friends, it’s time to put on your creative thinking caps.
In my next book, one character plants a large grouping of trees as a memorial to a woman he loved very much. As I am not exactly tree-savvy, I need help choosing the trees that he puts into this grove. I need trees that not only could grow in Lancaster County, PA, (zone 6) but that could also in some way be symbolic of different elements of her life. For example, he includes Spruce and Maple because she played the violin (which was made from Spruce and Maple.)
Already-determined elements that could be symbolized in tree form include:
• her birthplace (Germany)
• her race/religion/ethnicity (Jewish)
• a memory of something from her childhood (in Europe)
Variable elements (I haven’t decided on yet) that could be symbolized in tree form include:
• the color of her eyes
• a hobby she had
• a favorite place she liked to visit
• a pet
• something about her personality
• and so on
Aside from a few specific details, I’m still in the process of creating her and can incorporate almost anything about her or her life that would make sense and correlate well with a tree.
If you have any suggestions for trees in this memorial grove, please let me know! To answer privately, email me at Mindystarnsclark@aol.com. If you would like to answer publicly, feel free to post your response as a comment to this blog.
Have fun with it, and thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Mindy
Status: OPEN (Your replies are still needed.)
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How about a weeping willow, either to commemorate a grief in her life or his grief at losing her?
ReplyDeleteI went to arborday.org for some background information. The European Birch, Dogwood, and Washington Hawthorne all have interesting historical background. I also like River Birch, Gingko (great leaf shape, but can be a little obnoxious), Littleleaf Linden, and the American Sweetgum. I could put this question out to other Master Gardeners if you like.
ReplyDeleteOK I'm thinking white Dogwood to symbolize her faith; Cherry tree for favorite time of year, spring, or color; a Scotch pine for European roots and Christmas tree memories. Hope that helps!
ReplyDelete