The ornamental pear tree that has grown far in excess of its touted 40-foot top-out height is hosting an unusual scion for the second straight summer.
And while it has become the talk of the block and passers-by, it might be indicative of a tree not long for this world – or a tree given a new lease on life.
Years ago, a larger branch hanging too low over the Catalpa Flats sidewalk was removed. And over the subsequent years, it became clear that the pruning job more resembled a hatchet job.
That is, the sloppy cut collected snow and rain. Birds, squirrels and chipmunks loved the small watering hole. But that began a slow-rot process which, in turn, created the perfect growing medium for that guest – a volunteer pine tree.
Somehow from somewhere a white pine seed became lodged in that cut. It emerged last spring, though barely visible. But as this spring heads to summer, it has exploded into a full-fledged seedling pushing 6 inches with its robust new growth.
“Is that real?” one neighbor asked. Walkers now regularly stop to inspect the oddity, some rising on their tippy toes to inspect it, hesitant to touch it. Then, no longer able to resist, they do touch it and walk away, smiling and shaking their heads over the anomaly.
Though not common, one species of tree growing out of another species does happen from time to time. One of the more famous examples comes from Italy’s Piemonte, or Piedmont, region, bordering France and Switzerland.
Between the cities of Grana and Casorzo stands what is known as the Bialbero de Casorzo, or the “Double Tree of Casorzo.” Amazingly, a full-sized cherry tree has been growing atop a mulberry tree for decades.
It’s believed that a bird dropped a cherry seed into a void in its host. The cherry roots have worked their way through mulberry trunk and into the ground.
What the future holds for the Pine in a Pear Tree of Mt. Lebanon remains unknown. Who knows, allowed to mature, it might help to stabilize a tree not necessarily known for its wherewithal to begin with but now rotting to boot.
But for now, this Mother Nature-provided conversation piece is providing lots of double-takes and lots of smiles. And such simple pleasures, the best pleasures in life, usually are best left to please, undisturbed and for as long as possible.
Colin McNickle is a senior fellow and media specialist at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy (cmcnickle@alleghenyinstitute.org).
