BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - “I THINK that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree” So wrote the famed American poet, Joyce Kilmer while serving with the military in the First World War in France.
I often times wonder at the significance of those words - words that conjure up questions in my own mind as to what he saw in the tree that brought forth such a comment.
Was it the tree`s shape, the colour of its leaves or its branches as they spread out from its trunk, or by its mere presence where it was growing or could it have a revelation of its overall existence from its growing from a tiny seed to what it now was as he beheld its right to exist and to display its god-given beauty.
Since my early childhood one tree that always stood out for me with regards to its shape and the beauty of its colourful flowers is the tree popularly known to us as the Flamboyant that has been growing all around our island St. Kitts and has spread throughout the Caribbean with its mass of vivid red colour.
I am told that it was first introduced here by the first French Governor of St Kitts, de Poincy (1583–1660) and the Latin name “poinciana” for the genus of this plant, is derived from him.
Many children of my age group never knew the tree with the above mentioned names. For us it was the ‘shack- shack tree’ from the long dried seed pods that it bore which made a lovely sound when shaken. It became a musical instrument for many of us while playing games.
In 1983 when our country of St Kitts and Nevis became an independent Nation, its flower became the National Flower of the newly Federated Nation of St Kitts and Nevis.
For many years the only colour of this famous flowering tree was a deep dark red. No matter where they were growing whether by man`s design or by natural dispersal of the seeds by wind, water or even birds they stood out amongst the verdant green of the surrounding trees adding contrast and appeal to the beauty of the island. This has changed dramatically.
Today there are a number of gold and canary-yellow flamboyant trees. These yellow flamboyant trees were introduced since the 1970s but what seems to have been taking place is that a number of reds are changing to orange.
I am certain other folks may have noticed this unusual change that we now have orange, red, gold and yellow. The question that is often asked is, “Are we seeing before our eyes the cross pollinating of the red and yellow flamboyants?” Or could it be that changes taking place are due to the nature of the soil where such orange trees are found?
My feeling is the former of the two questions could be the answer. There is another thought too, that it is possible that the yellows which have developed may have done so through grafting and folks may be planting the seeds from these trees with the hope that they might be able to raise yellow plants.
Not so long ago there was a number of complaints that the population of these wonderful trees was being decimated by unconcerned citizens when many of such trees were either being pruned or removed for security purposes.
Such fear was unwarranted. There are literally hundreds of flamboyant trees growing all around the island of St Kitts. Along the island’s main road are dozens of such trees that were planted for ornamentation, while in ghauts and even high on Romney Mountain range there is a huge Red that flowers yearly.
In years gone by, Romney Manor was the site of the largest number of red flamboyant trees in a single place, and it may still be so. That area in 1989 saw quite lot of the flamboyant trees being destroyed by hurricane Hugo yet despite such loss there are signs that a natural propagation of such trees in that area is taking place.
The flamboyant is one of the easiest plants to grow whether by seeds or by cuttings; falling branches have been known to take root just where they would have fallen. And seedlings, from seeds scattered far and wide, have taken their places amongst the vast number of other competing trees for survival.
It is my view that as long as a single flamboyant remains there will always be such trees forming a natural and integral part of the landscape of our twin island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis that will redound to our “Land of beauty” for our citizens as well as to visitors to our shores.
The challenge is for all to encourage the children particularly to plant a tree, any tree for that matter, but a flamboyant most definitely as they are very easy to grow.
Oliver Spencer
15th July, 2012.
Trees –
By American poet, Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A Tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
