Horse Chestnut Tree

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” Martin Luther

This is a beautiful Horse Chestnut tree that I planted in the back garden at the back of my house in Leitrim. I was 9 years of age and in third class and only learning about nature. I remember the day, over 22 years ago now, that I came across this lonesome conker in my neighbour Jon Regan’s farmyard. I picked up the conker full of curiosity and tucked it away safely in my trousers pocket. The following Monday when I went to school I showed it to my teacher, she told me what it was and I couldn’t believe a tree could grow from something so small. She helped me plant it in an old Flora Margarine butter tub I got from my mother. I watered it and watched it grow every day for a few months. I was mesmerised watching it break into a journey of its own. It represented everything in nature to me and the meaning of life and its journey. I loved to watch it every Spring spurt its sticky buds and then transform into amazing bright white delicate flowers covered in pink or yellow spots. I watched them transform into chestnuts or conkers as they slowly matured in the Autumn months.