Tree & Me: Stick in the Mud
A Story by Brian “Fox” Ellis of Peoria Heights, IL
Tree & Me is a storytelling series from Leaf & Limb. In each issue, we feature a personal story about trees from one of our readers. This month, our story and illustration come from Brian “Fox” Ellis of Peoria Heights, Illinois.
Stick in the Mud
One of my favorite botany professors was a man I only remember as George. Well into his eighties, he still taught occasional classes and knew every plant on campus.
On Sunday afternoons, George led hikes through the arboretum. One afternoon, along Plum Creek, he stopped beside a gnarled cottonwood so large that three people could not hug it fingertip to fingertip. He put a hand against the tree and told this story:
When I was a boy, my father told me that if you stick a cottonwood branch in the mud, it will sprout into a new tree.
I didn’t believe him, but I respected him too much to argue without evidence.
One day, during a fierce storm, a gust snapped a cottonwood branch, and it stuck in the mud along Plum Creek. I thought I would soon have my evidence. For five days, I watched its leaves wilt and curl. It seemed I was right.
I told my father he was wrong. He told me to collect more data. Wanting to be a good son and a good scientist, I watched that stick for ten more days.
The leaves began to uncurl and plump up. I dug into the mud beside the stick and found small roots growing. My father was right. And that tree is now before you.
George would be gone by now, and perhaps the cottonwood is too. What I do know is that George’s father gave him a story, George gave it to me, and now I’m passing it on.
I like to think that somewhere along Plum Creek, another fallen branch is putting down roots.
Some trees take root in the earth. Over time, others take root in us.
Have your own tree story?
Do you have a tree that holds a special place in your heart? Maybe it’s a childhood climbing tree, a backyard favorite, or one you planted in memory of someone you love.
Please share your story with us to celebrate the powerful connection between people and trees. You can do so by filling out the form below. Each month, we will select a new story to be featured in this “Tree & Me” series.
