Leaf (though your heart is braking)

It’s not just apples.

(Although comparing apples to oranges isn’t pretty to sum. Doesn’t add up.)

The leaf doesn’t fall far from the tree.

As anyone can see:

Watch the curb. Fall all around.

Round up the street sweepers.

A thunderous dance swirling among the parked cars and the leaf bags.

Odd that pile of bags has been there quite a while.

Left behind during several days of garbage collection.

Oh, “special” trash: waiting for a designated leaf pick-up day?

Must be a regional thing, the leaf altar.

Try leaving a garbage can out too late or putting it out a day early in our neighborhood and a nasty letter arrives demanding you pay a fine. (And suggesting you explore composting to save landfills.)

Don’t even think about letting a pile of black bags sit along the curb for over a week.

Bags, lady. No parking!

Perhaps an unofficial attempt to prevent parking in front of a house?

Meanwhile the street sweeper has to do-si-do down the street.

It’s understandable if the sweep isn’t neat.

Yep. Here’s the “after” picture.

Interesting enough this is from the side of the street that had no  parking.

Not one car.

Not one black trash bag altar.

Clear sailing all the way down the straight street.

Kicked to the curb? Or is the Coke can suicidal? Coke can college prank? “The leaves will cushion your fall – go ahead try it!” Crushed to find out. Attempted rescue by a utility marker? ( Sadly, it was wired.)

That little sweeping-machine-that-could just zoomed down the block.

Late for coffee break?

His wife was having a baby and a mean boss told him he couldn’t go until he finished his sweeps?

Good example why people should be paid for their performance / productivity not ’cause they just managed to show up?

OK. Quit picking on the leaf sweeper guy.

He gets battered enough.

Saw it happen.

Just driving along and he got whacked.

Lovely scene or a devious malicious army branching out – waiting to attack? Can foliage simply be brushed off?

Charming street scene delights walkers: a jewel toned mosaic over head.

Not so friendly to street sweepers.

Equally scratching to garbage trucks and large delivery vehicles.

Draping branches ready to grab anything within reach.

Grasping vehicles’ skins as they attempt to hurry along.

(Are the trees trying to pry the vehicles open? Are these carnivorous plants?)

Branches shrilly shrieking in protest as their targets move on.

(Seeking attention and to deflect blame, no doubt.)

Then, having the nerve to break up or crack up when trucks successfully escape and travel on.

Can’t blame leaf sweeper guy for avoiding hazardous situations.

Things get desperate when falling.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?

Wise to avoid additional gauntlets? 

Power company is probably pounding their heads on pavement remembering past hurricane and winter storm tree damage.

Oh, you can hear the whine from power companies,

“Nobody cares about electricity until the lights go out!”

“Power is just invisible.” (like I believe that)

Bet those companies love the “Let’s plant a tree” initiative in Washington, DC

6,400 trees to be planted as part of a $1.8 million dollar program.

Many good reasons why this is an excellent idea.

(Although, will trees really reduce crime and improve student test scores as claimed?)

People will get paid for planting a tree.

Trees are nice.

I vote for them: the strong silent enduring type.

Experience has shown trees don’t like to move, so best plant thoughtfully.

So this?

Power lines are like magnets? They coax trees to grow directly under them – with evil plans for the leafy future? The first one is a crape myrtle but that next one, it’s got big paws so to speak.

Trees planted directly under power lines?

Everyone knows that happens when they grow.

Brutally hacked or savagely cut down after a few years.

Branches leaning on lines.

Falling branches breaking lines during storms.

Broken branches littering the streets for weeks.

Who knows? A space shuttle might need to go through. (Axe, please.)

Mature trees wear power lines like jewelry. Must be regional. Power company’s tree trimmers yearly hack back anything anywhere close to lines in hurricane country

The tree initiative says they have listened to the power company and trees will be carefully chosen.

Yeah, that’ll work.

“But Honey, we like this one better. It has prettier leaves. I’m sure it will grow slowly. We can get this one and just not apply for the rebate. Please. It’s so much nicer. We like this one.”

People, don’t worry, the medium size trees will only grow some 35-45 feet tall. (and the local power lines are…?)

“What do you mean it’s a giant variety? When we planted it in 2012, they said it was a small tree. How much to trim it?”

In any case, the streets will be so much more welcoming with trees.

And there’s new jobs created for the future!

Kids! Sign up now for courses in tree trimming, linemen, and leaf sweeping! (Or just show up)

Leafing it to ya’

Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Read more: 

“D.C. Tree Planting Underway” Trees lower crime! Raise test scores! Make the world cooler! NewsChannel8 VIDEO and article. Why trees are good and about the initiative.

Tree Rebate. Info about planting trees program in Washington DC. Links to forms

And a giant old tree forced to pick up and move….you think you have problems packing….

• “Bored? Sappy story. It’s moving.” Ghirardi Compton Oak evicted. (Save the tree, they cried!)
• “Heat arresting development. Treed” (progress of move)
• “Update: Ghirardi Compton Oak Landed” (Pictures of the final stages of the move and planting. Home at last!)