Our 135 yr old mulberry tree is our family’s favorite tree. It’s been there for four generations. Learning how to take cuttings from the tree and potting them to grow its own roots has given us a chance to have several new baby trees identical to this icon of our family farm.
Four generations. First, Rice Ainsworth grazed cattle around this tree in the early 1900’s. The tree was already large enough to provide cooling shade from the sweltering heat for his cows. I imagine Rice himself stopping a time or two to eat the delicious berries produced starting in May of each year. Close your eyes and picture the cows resting underneath this tree. That’s a calming picture wouldn’t you agree?
Second generation, Wiley Ainsworth grazed cows and cut hay around this tree during the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Even before then he climbed the tree to eat his share of mulberries. As a child he would walk out on the huge limbs to feast on the berries. There was a reason he could just walk the limbs and not climb them. The tree had blown over,probably from a storm. It didn’t die, but would from then on grow with these huge limbs stretching out horizontally to the ground. All bent and mangled, it definitely lost its timber value. But,….. it provided easy access for us Ainsworths to climb in and around the canopy of leaves. Why would generations be climbing in this tree? Well, to grab handfuls of those tasty berries is the main reason. But really the main reason was it was such a calming place in nature to be.
Third generation. The 70’s and 80’s brought a young Dan Ainsworth (me) traveling to and from this tree. My memories with this tree are uncountable. Jet, our horse at the time provided me several rides to the tree. I would then stuff myself full of berries. The tree was conveniently located between two of my best fishing holes. I’d stop and stuff myself full of berries. By the way, don’t eat a belly full of mulberries and then eat green plums. It will make ya sick!
Some days I would just climb the tree and sit. I want to say that I heard God speak to me at an early age while in this tree. All kinds of sounds could be heard while in this tree. A Mockingbird, a Bobwhite Quail, cows mooing, a distant train whistle, and the most exciting sound for me,…….. the screeching call of a Red Tail Hawk. Hmmm, maybe it was God. He was speaking through his creation/choir members.
The calendar keeps turning. 2000’s and 2010’s, the fourth generation of Ainsworths (Jamie and Jordan) are enjoying their time with the mangled but majestic tree. Jordan could spend hours in that tree if you’d let him. Just the other day, Jordan and his wife Jill took a picture holding the sonogram picture of their soon to be born baby close to the tree. 5th generation coming into the scene?
Jamie had such an impression of the tree that she named her store Mulberry Dreams. I like the sound of that myself. It gives you such a picture of calmness. Wow, just like when the cows were grazing there years and years before.
Excitement is now in the air! I have learned how to propagate a mulberry tree using cuttings from the tree itself. They will be genetically the same as the old, old tree. These cuttings/ baby trees will begin their life in a Solo cup, then repotted to a one gallon pot as their roots grow. Then they will be planted wherever Jamie and Jordan choose to plant them. The trees (loaded with memories from past generations) now will grow roots and continue to flourish providing a newer place of calmness for generations to come.
(I love this translation of this scripture from THE MESSAGE Bible translation) Deuteronomy 32:7 Read up on what happened before you were born; dig into the past, understand your roots. Ask your parents what it was like before you were born; ask the old ones, they will tell you a thing or two.
We all have a history, a past. This history has a tremendous effect on how we face the future. Naturally, if you have a past then there will be good and bad memories mixed in. But all in all you’ve been growing roots to prepare you for the future. Just like my baby tree in that Solo cup, you’ve got to be providing a place for your roots to grow even more.
Spiritually the same applies. Maybe you’ve got your own Mulberry Tree/ a calm place/ a safe place. It’s where you like to hang out. God provides you with a “cutting” so that you can carry this “calmness” with you. But you’ve got to let the roots grow! Feed your roots with prayer by talking (and listening) to God. Grow even more with readings from the Bible. The times in your “spiritual Mulberry Tree” can then be passed on to future generations!
As I write this I’m watching a squirrel in the Mulberry Tree acrobatically climb out on limbs and stuff himself with the fruit. I think I’ll join him. It’s probably best if I stay on the ground to eat mine. See Ya!
