It was a little shrub when I planted it. I thought it would grow about eight, maybe twelve feet in a few years. Certainly not forty feet in three years.
A hybrid of the California native Fremontodendron and the Central American “hand tree” Chiranthodendron, my Chiranthofremontia utterly outgrew its space in a few months. By two years ago it was taller than the house, feeding the soil with a thick carpet of fuzzy leaves. And in June, or thereabouts, it would cover itself in bright orange blossoms.
We have wind gusts up to about 70 miles an hour right now. It’s the New Years’ Storm, a few days delayed. The windmill out back, which I staked firmly and which has ridden out a dozen huge storms intact, is canted slightly northward this morning.
And the Chiranthofremontia is down.
I’m sorry, Chris. Two of them are down on campus this morning… I love these shrubs, they’re beautiful in all seasons, like buckeyes.
And a huge pine limb narrowly missed our lab this morning. And it’s not over yet.
Oh no! I loved that tree!! I had never seen anything like it.
Also - Happy Birthday. Not a very nice day for a birthday, although it is a good day to hide out in the house.
what a grand shrub!
sure is a blustery day. going to rescue my son [first bus service, then the entire richmond bridge closed], i saw several trees down, and an entire branch skittering across san pablo in the wind. glad we removed that huge dead pine by the house, and at least some of the heavier parts of the dreaded eucalyptus.
too bad about your tree/plant. we had a small magnolia (neighbor’s tree)come down on my roomie’s car. It’s not uprooted yet, so I’m holding out hope it will somehow survive.
Also. at ocean beach, hundreds and hundreds of pelicans and gulls are flying south, just riding the wind. it’s breathtaking.
I really came on this site to wish you a Happy Birthday! But I am sad that the tree came down.I have been home today. It is my birthday too! So I’ve had NPR on all day, and have been listening carefully as I have a close friend living in San Francisco. Hoping everything is ok health wise for you.My wish is that 2008 is a better year than last was. (for many of us ) I’ve been working pretty hard and I hope to have a more relaxing year ahead.
I kind of celebrated early on New Year’s eve. Went to a park where dogs roam free, and enjoyed the company of an elderly Rottweiler as he could not keep up with his canine “brother”. The owner and that dog left him and went on, leaving him to walk at his own pace. For a time that was my pace too. What a sweet old thing. Then he went on ahead to catch up with the others.
So much for the vicious Rottweiler theory. This guy was as gentle as a lamb.
what a gorgeous shot.