A12 Thursday, April 7, 2022
Peace Arch News
www.peacearchnews.com
A woman sweeps fallen blossoms off a sidewalk in the 13400 block of Marine Drive. The short time that fruit trees are in bloom each spring brings great joy to our columnist Bill Piket. (Geoffrey Yue photo)
Blossoms’ brief appearance always a welcome sign of spring
R E S E T. R E F R E S H. R E C O N N E C T. It’s a perfect time to make a fresh start. At Amica White Rock, you’ll find the premium lifestyle you’re looking for, the social connections you want and care personalized to your needs. Find out how Amica can help you make this a spring of opportunities. Schedule your private tour.
Lower Mainland streets once again pretty in pink T trees in their front gardens. And what an astonishing, beautiful sight those trees are making right now. here. Yes, I am insanely envious. We’ve had spring break, I wish I could afford to live and now we have spring. And it’s wonderful, no doubt on just that one city block in South Surrey. I bet there about it. is not a single house for sale We get sunshine, and it’s warmer. But for me, perhaps there. Still, what’s to stop any more than anything else, it’s of us homeowners from those wonderful, beautiful, planting a cherry tree – or cherry trees in bloom. even more than one – in our Pink, lovely trees, but also front yard? wonderful signs Bill Piket As I drive around that, yes, spring is White Rock and here! South Surrey I In Japan, where notice many folks I’ve been a few have done just that. times, the cherry And their cherry trees and their trees are looking blossoms are just lovely. One celebrated as signs garden looks fine, of spring. Quite a not as terrific as a number of towns, whole city block, Kyoto, for instance, but very nice, all the make a particular same. point of celebrating When our the cherry blossoms apartment building and the coming of redid the front garden, they spring. I think I remember had a professional do the Nara is another town that designing for a modest fee. does that. Very nice, except where we Over here, we don’t make could have had two or three any particular fuss about cherry trees, we’ve got some the cherry trees and their pink dogwood instead. wonderful pink blossoms. Darn! I wish I’d talked Unless, of course, you live on 150B Street south of 24th to that designer. Nothing against dogwood trees – Avenue. they’re lovely. There, the folks on the But next to cherry trees in entire city block have full bloom, they’re just a bit evidently managed to dull. agree to all plant cherry hose cherry trees. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, spring is
just
thinking
CALL KELLIE OR TRICIA AT 778-545-8800 TODAY
15333 16 T H AV E N U E
A MIC A .C A / W HITEROCK
One thing pink dogwoods have in common with pink cherry trees is that they are eminently suited for the front gardens of our houses. I’m not talking about five-acre lots. Even one-acre lots can accommodate one of those forest giants: cedar or fir trees. As I see it, the cedar and the Douglas fir belong to the forests. They’re wonderful, beautiful trees, and, yes, they are good to help fight climate change. And no, you’re not allowed to cut one of those forest giants down if you don’t like the way their shade interferes with your tomatoes and cucumbers and other delicious produce that you’re cultivating in your backyard. The city won’t let you. But if you have just moved into a new place in a new subdivision, and you’re planning your front yard, I beg you, consider the beautiful cherry tree. Not only is it just right in size for the standard front yard of your standard subdivision residence, it’s a splendid source of joy every spring. Your neighbours will love it, too. Bill Piket is a White Rock senior who writes occasionally for the Peace Arch News – whenever there’s something on his mind.