Holy Miracle!

Cedrus libani. Photo taken Oct. 11, 2014. Healdsburg, California

October 16, 2014

Holy Horticulture Miracle

     Speaking of warm, wonderful places, I just returned from my trip to Healdsburg to visit Josie and get photos for my book.  I’ll begin this entry by listing the many miracles and blessings that transpired while I was there.  The first and by far, the most significant miracle occurred Saturday the 11^th in the most amazing way.

     Josie, Kim and I had just returned from Napa Valley where we traveled to watch Tony Fenau, for whom Marcus is his Caddy, play in a golf tournament.  We’d gotten up early and arrived in time to follow them from the fifth hole until Tony finished.  And, as a side-note, Tony completed the tournament in 11^th place!  We had just sat down to visit.    

      In her usual helpful way, Josie asked, “How do you feel your photos are coming along?  Have you gotten everything you wanted to?” I told her I had.  She offered, “Is there anything, I mean anything else I can do for you?”  Because she had already gone above and beyond the call and made arrangements, scheduled appointments and called many contacts, my only response was the tease her with the most outrageous request I could think of. 

      Here’s where I need to back up.  You see, early in my research, I had a fascination with the majestic trees of the Old Testament, Cedars of Lebanon, referenced many times in regards to the temple.  Like their name’s sake, they are native to the mountainous region in Lebanon, where in biblical times, huge forests of Cedars of Lebanon grew abundantly.  King Solomon, David’ son, traded with his friend, Hyrum of Tyre for enormous quantities of this tree species.  For a number of reasons they are a nearly perfect tree, especially for timber: these huge trees are almost impervious to pests, emit a beautiful, fragrant scent, were popular for their lovely wood grain and workability for craftsmen, were excellent for ship building and became associated with royalty and wealth.  I longed to find one in the Middle East, but the only one I found was a young, rather insipid specimen at the BYU Jerusalem Center. With so many troubles in the Middle East, and Americans being targeted in Lebanon, Syria and surrounding countries, it’s unlikely that I’ll ever be able to return to that region to get more photos, the famous Cedars of Lebanon being my primary focus.

     So, when she asked that question, I teasingly said, “Unless you can locate a Cedar of Lebanon tree nearby, I can’t think of anything.”  Kim had been on his phone, texting or something, when I said it.  So, when he said, “There’s one right here in Healdsburg,” I sarcastically said, “Yeah, right.” 

“No! Seriously!  I googled it and it says there’s one at Camelia’s Inn, right here in Healdsburg.” 

“That can’t be,” I said.  “Are you sure?  It has to be a specific variety, the Cedrus libani, to be considered a true Cedar of Lebanon. I seriously doubt that they have that exact species right here in Healdsburg.”

“It says right here that there’s a Cedar of Lebanon, a Cedrus libani at Camelia’s Inn, just a few blocks from here.” 

“No way!  What are the odds?  I’d have to see it to believe it.”

Josie picked up her keys and said, “Let’s go see.” 

Imagine my shock and utter amazement to find that, indeed, right there in Healdsburg, a place I could never have imagined would have such a tree, we pulled up in front of the building, literally blocks from Josie’s house, and there one stood, in all its majesty and might, a Cedar of Lebanon!  In my wildest imagination, I could not have been more shocked! 

   

Figure 1 Cedar of Lebanon Oct. 11, 2013 in Healdsburg, California

 I began taking pictures, while Josie went inside the Bed and Breakfast known as Camelia’s Inn, to ask permission if we could photograph the tree.  The owner, or I should say the owner’s husband, being that his wife had inherited the building and turned it into a B&B, came out to greet me.  He invited us inside and pulled out a large, very old book, an Atlas of Old Town Healdsburg. 

     Here’s where the miracle gets even more exciting.  He opened the pages to a sketch that showed the exact building in 1877, and where the text detailed one Luther Burbank, yes, as in my sons’ ancestry, a famous botanist and agriculturalist, had gifted a small sapling, shown in that book as a small tree, in the year 1877!  There it was, documented and evidenced by the famous botanist, himself.  I couldn’t have been more delighted!  Tears streamed.  Josie got photos of me hugging that tree and crying.  Words cannot describe my utter amazement and humility at this gift from heaven.  And, all because I teased my very generous sister. Even now, I am stunned to think of it.

     The following day was the Sabbath, so I went to church and then, drove to the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in nearby Santa Rosa and toured the grounds.  Interestingly, there was also a Cedar of Lebanon on his property, under which he requested to be buried, but had since gotten root rot and had to be taken down.  So, I’d found my rare specimen, not in the Middle East, but in my sister’s own proverbial back yard.  I’d also investigated a relative of my sons, a famous botanist and agriculturalist, with the same name.  I can’t wait to tell the boys! 

     Luther Burbank and his wife never had children.  But he did have brothers.  He is most famous for a variety of potato that is still, today the most prominent potato in the country.  He also grafted and genetically modified a number of plant species.