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English Chronicles 2025 26printed 10 · PDF 20
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The Apple Tree
Looking back, I remember running through the long, lush grass,
pretending that we were at battle and trying to take cover. I would
always find myself behind the old apple tree in our front yard. This
was my favourite spot. The thick trunk, like a bodyguard, protected
me from the imaginary bullets that flew towards my body. I would
lean against it, and for some reason, it was comforting to have
something sturdy to lean on.
Now, it’s almost ninety years old and stands perfectly centred
between my house and my detached two-car garage. The base of its
trunk leaves the ground at a slight angle, giving the impression that
it’s leaning forward. The surrounding ground is uneven and bumpy,
with roots weaving in and out of the earth as if they are seeking a
breath of fresh air. Unlike the rough and deeply grooved surface
usually associated with trees, my tree’s bark is smoother and pimple-
like, with sections scaling off in sheets.
The actual trunk is only eight feet tall and not very wide, but the
height and span of the branches shoot out twice that size, making it
top-heavy. Although not an enormous tree, it dominates the nearby
scenery. As the oldest and wisest vegetation, it demands seniority
from the surrounding landscape. Over the course of one year, my
apple tree takes on multiple faces, demonstrating the circle of life.
During the winter months, the apple tree is grey and lifeless. Having
been stripped of all leaves, its limbs are barren and jagged. Frozen in
place, they stiffly poke out into the air and are reluctant to sway,
even for a harsh winter wind. The tree appears dry and brittle. The
birds no longer favour it for shelter. They have abandoned their
previous home for the pine trees on my neighbour’s property.
AC Chronicles
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