Jimmy the apple tree!

 This is Jimmy the apple tree. My first ever phantom planted apple tree right outside my family home where I was born and raised. 

I can't believe how well Jimmy is doing. I never thought he was going to make it. 

Around 10/11 years ago I planted Jimmy in waterlogged ground. I had never planted a tree before in my life. I just dug a hole and made sure it was the right way up. 

We planted 2 that day. My dads mate planted the other. 

I remember when we planted them and I named mine, I said to my dads mate are you naming yours? 

He looked at me like I had 2 heads. 

His didn't make it sadly and Jimmy struggled on for years. 

After my dad passed away and I moved out of the estate I never went back down to see Jimmy much. Difficult seeing another family in your family home.

Went down once a few years ago and couldn't believe Jimmy was growing away. 6 years I'm gone from the street now and have only been down on 2 other occasions since then. 

Yesteday I went down and I couldnt believe my eyes. Jimmy even has apples on it this year!

Someone in the street has been looking after Jimmy, thank you to whoever you are. 

You have no idea how many people told me Jimmy would not survive. Against all the odds for year after year Jimmy kept putting out flowers in the wet muddy field. Some years it looked dead with just one or two small leaves. 

Look at Jimmy now guys!!!

Is it because I named the tree as to why Jimmy has survived? 

Who knows!

It seems also that Jimmy has replicated my own life , suffering and growth in some way. Back then when I planted Jimmy I was a mess. A full on alcoholic and drug addict I was. 

I had just lost all my businesses also and my own home along with a family break up and just back from living in exile after people wanting my dead. I was also made bankrupt and had to move in with my dad again in the room I was raised in. My dads house was also a safe place for me back then from other gangs that were after me. 

It was very hard times for me, things couldnt have gotten any worse! 

As Jimmy struggled to live so was I. The more Jimmy begun to thrive over the years so I begun to thrive also. 

There's more magic and mystery than our minds will ever know in planting and connecting with trees. 

Remember the Buddha was born under a tree, attained enlightenment under a tree and passed away under a tree. There's something in the trees! 

Go plant a tree today guys and connect with it. 

Peace and love 

The Phantom Planter