The Forest Centre Tree...

2009

Sapora (Sappy for short) Spruce

has yet to be adorned.

2008 - Bertrum Balsam withstood

humiliation by the masses with his

bowed crown and wiggly ribbons.

Sapora, the 2009 Forest Centre Christmas tree is awaiting her decorators to arrive. She has been well trained over the years for having patience to wait and looking regal in the midst of it all.

Many years ago when she was just a twinkle in the eye of the seed manufacturer she was destined for greatness. Planted in a perfect spot with just the right amount of sunlight and the exact amount of moisture, she enjoyed being at the bottom of the hill because there was always an abundance of water for her roots to guzzle. Not that she would admit to gluttony but hey, a girl needs to grow and hopefully grow with a shape that would bedazzle any expectant buyer....at least that's what Bert told her. Bert was her older cousin who, just last year, was specially picked from the entire field to sit in the seat of honor at The Forest Centre. She was excited when Bert left. They had talked quite a bit about the day he would have to leave, so when it actually happened, she was happy for his good fortune. Bertie's whole story is here:
http://sharonkent.blogspot.com/2008/12/tree-that-blushed.html But I digress....

Sappy was a spitfire of a youngster. No matter who came by she would get her sap flowing so that when they touched her she would hear yelps and cries and shouts of displeasure at their fingers sticking together. It amused her to no end.

As she grew each year amongst her friends at the bottom of the hill, Sappy grew more and more beautiful. The guys were always stretching their branches towards her but when the tree trimmers came by and saw what was going on, it didn't take long to put them in their place. Snip. Snip. Snip. The trimmers didn't want any of those trees interrupting the glorious shape of Sapora. They made sure she had all the room she needed. She was one shapely spruce...sap and all.

According to Bert, she most likely would have several years yet on the plantation before she was cut and bagged and shipped. So, like any young Spruce, she simply enjoyed herself by keeping and entertaining many tiny birds within her branches. She was a likable Spruce too...had a real personality and night after cold winter night she would spread her branches as far as she could to shelter and warm the family of rabbits and mice who happened by. Some winters the wind whistled and whipped her sturdy and delicate branches so hard, she wondered if she'd ever make it to spring, let alone her place of destiny.....wherever that would be.

So, November 23 came as a complete surprise to her. The people came and said "This one!". Before Sapora realized it...whirrrrrr....buzzzzzz..........plunk.......she was cut down even before the prime of her life, certainly sooner than Bert told her! She remembered what mother had said about always keeping an air of royalty and dignity about her, so as the large netted bag wrapped tightly around her sappy form, she kept her needles under close control and not even a hint of sap was released.

Off she went on the back of a very large truck. She thought she heard someone say "The Forest Centre", but surely she wouldn't be sent there, would she!? Time would tell.

It was a short drive. The weather was warm for this time of the year. She had tried all the way on the trip to keep her sap under control but alas, the warmth of the sun and her sadness in leaving all her friends behind...well, it simply got the better of her. She cried and cried. It's not easy leaving friends she'd grown up with and shared space with...winter and summer. She needed to get control of her emotions by the time she arrived, otherwise, her regal dignity would be in shreds.

Strong hands grabbed her tightly from trunk to crown. Off she went into....yes, it was the exact place her cousin Bertrum had been last year....The Forest Centre. It was exciting to be following in his footsteps and so putting aside her feelings of sadness and longing for home, she began to spread her branches quickly after she was gently placed in her stand. All thoughts of loneliness dissipated. Water was poured into her base and in a manner fitting royalty, she sipped for several hours and was satisfied.

People watched. People pointed. They stood in awe. They said things like..."She's a beauty!".....and.... "I wonder how they will decorate her?" ....and... "She smells so divine!"....and on and on the compliments went. She looked like royalty, upright and proud.....just the way she knew she was meant to be.

Sapora looked up and there standing on the balcony overlooking her spot was a lady taking her picture. The lady came down closer and took hold of her branches, touching them softly and whispering to her that she hoped that she would be happy here........ all the while taking in her soft spruce scent. Knowing that someone cared about her here made Sapora smile. No matter what happened in the next days, she knew that this was the place for which she was destined.

The lady smiled once more at her before she left the building that evening. She heard her say "I really hope they do justice to you dear Spruce! Last year was such a disaster! But I hope you will be given your rightful place in our building this Christmas season....with or without decorations. You are a Spruce of true beauty and no matter what happens, you will be loved and adored. A true ever-green!"

Sapora was grateful to hear those words and knew she would certainly do her best to be a great example to her entire Evergreen family.

And that is the story of "Sapora (Sappy) Spruce".

P.S. I'll have to give you further details on Sapora's decorative status in the days ahead.:)