So I used to feel bad every time I'd see this -- a fruit or nut tree in full bloom with at least half its blossoms knocked off by a significant rain or windstorm, and all that gorgeous color just lying on the ground. Wasted beauty, wasted fruit, I used to think.
Now I realize that this is nature's way of ensuring the trees do not produce more fruit than they can effectively ripen. Spring storms are a great way of knocking excess flowers off the tree, thereby ensuring there will not be an excess of fruit. Which means maybe I won't have to thin the fruit as drastically as I might otherwise.
What a freaking genius idea.Well played, Sir God. Well played.
You are so right. Nature did just fine before we arrived on the planet. I did not know that about trees and excess fruit, but it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI've spent these last three drought years hand-thinning the fruit myself and it's no fun; you are right, in a normal situation (like having storms in spring) nature pretty much straightens things out all by itself.
DeleteAnd...it's still pretty. Nature's confetti. :)
ReplyDeleteNature's confetti...perfect description!!
DeleteIf only it would spare the lovely ornamental blossoms! We have many spectacular pink and yellow magnolias here and it's a true roll of the dice if the blooms will make it--and if they do, will they last longer than a few hours before being nipped by frost? But I do love waking or driving through the sprinkling petals like very gay rain.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, I'd love the blossoms to stay on longer for the ornamentals. I also feel the same way about the fall leaves, they too come off much to soon for my liking!
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