grew like no other fruit tree we ever knew.
Growing up in NW Arkansas there were plenty of trees to climb on a 360 acre farm. However, no tree was more fascinating than the huge Mulberry tree that grew on the old Likens homestead about ¼ mile from our house. As I recall (of course being a kid, EVERYTHING looked much bigger than it really was), the tree trunk couldn’t be reached around by two of us. The first limb was about the size of a 5 gallon bucket; started low to the ground and grew almost horizontal. There were many other limbs of varying sizes on which we could climb. It was a very large and very old, tree. We always went “shoe-less” in the summertime, so climbing trees was much more fun when you could feel the bark on your feet.
The best part of tree climbing, as I can remember, was feeling like I was “king of the world”. Standing on a limb, high in a tree, one felt like he was bigger than life! My brother, Pat, and I climbed any tree we could get a hold of; any kind and any height. The only thing that held us back from climbing the ancient Black Walnut trees that grew in our front yard was their sheer size! The trunks were large and rough. The lower limbs started 10 or 12 feet above the ground. Not having an extension ladder to assist us, we were content with climbing Oak, Elm, Pine, Persimmon and Mulberry trees, or anything else we could wrap our arms around and dig our toes into.
The favorite trees, whenever we felt like a sweet, tart snack, were the Mulberry and Persimmon. Persimmons demanded respect and one had to sneak up on them. It only takes once to bite into a not-yet-ripe Persimmon to get your attention! It is the most tart, mouth-shriveling experience you could ask for! Our Granny always said, “Don’t eat ‘em ‘til after the first frost”! The cold temperatures, down to the point of making ice, tend to ripen the Persimmons into a very sweet fruit snack. Now you know.
We enjoyed the succulent fruit of the Wild Plum and Wild Muskedines, as well. The Plums grew on bushes so we didn’t have to climb them to reach the fruit. However, the Wild Muskedine was different. It is related to the Grape family and grows on a climbing vine that uses trees as support. The best Muskedines were always at the top of the vine. Imagine that! The fruit was a bit larger than a grape with a much thicker and tougher skin that was fun to chew because it was so tart!
The favorite tree for me was the Mulberry. It produced fruit in plenty! The small berries, about the size of Blackberries, were as sweet as sugar and mighty tasty! The birds loved them, too; as did the Possum and Terrapins. I’m sure other critters loved them, too, but those are the ones we rubbed elbows with the most.
Thinking back upon those days, we never felt like we missed out on anything. The city life was just something we saw once in a week or two when we went into town to shop. We raised most of our own food but we needed staples like sugar, flower, coffee and so forth. Sometimes we went into the town of Mulberry
Today’s kids often make me shake my head in disbelief because of all the ways they are spoiled. They go throughout their day demanding and wanting more and more. They are bought off because Mom and Dad are working. They compete with each other in Day Care for whatever they get. My Mom didn’t raise kids like that. She always talked about how we would go into a store and just look, never touching anything. I guess we knew we couldn’t have it so no use touching it. She told everyone how good we “was”. Even complete strangers came up to Mom or Dad and told them how well mannered we “was”. We were fine with all that because we didn’t know any better.
Sometimes, when I see kids yelling at their folks because they want something; throwing fits of anger; bouncing off the wall or floor like they are competing for an Academy Award or something, I think about how we used to be and long for the good old days.
