Life on The Ranch
The Pillsbury Tree
June 3, 2020
The Pillsbury Tree has stood guard over the Redfield ranch for nearly a century. It has seen two world wars, the falling of the Twin Towers and the civil unrest that mars our country today. It survived generations of grand kids and countless nails and boards driven into its’ trunk. It is scarred by bb’s missing the target from our Red Ryder guns and once, being accidentally set on fire! Playing in it, us kids endured broken limbs, slivers, scrapes, and bruises, and occasionally the stray bb as well, that dimpled our skin!
It was a place to climb and hide out from packs of wolves, foreign soldiers and our parents calling us in for supper. We ate picnic lunches underneath its leafy canopy and used it as “base” for endless games of tag. One year, the boys spent days building a tree house. My brother Keith recalled how they placed in the branches high above the ground, a big pulley and rope system with a weight tied on it. They would jump out of the tree and holding onto the rope, began the gradual descent, swinging slowly to the ground. The called it their “elevator”.
I had always known the tree by that name. When much younger, I went to a tree farm to inquire about purchasing a “Pillsbury” tree, to bring a little bit of home to our place in South Dakota. I left feeling let down and honestly like an idiot when to my surprise, there wasn't a tree with that name to be found!
The origin of the tree itself lends to mystery and intrigue that traces its’ origin to the famous Pillsbury family who today, is a household name. My cousin Karen shared “As far as I can recall about the Pillsbury tree is when, I think her name was Mary (Pillsbury), eloped with a relation of ours. She took a slip of the tree from her father’s yard. She was never forgiven for the elopement.”
The Pillsbury Tree has stood the test of time despite subzero winters, hot summer days and the shenanigans of generations of kids. It continues to stand proud, serving as a beacon of remembrance to us all who once called this little parcel of Montana, home. The tender care given when planted caused its roots to run deep, setting a foundation of strength attributing to its longevity. I look forward to taking my kids in a few weeks, to touch the worn, brown bark and share with them the stories of old.
We, as Christians need to plant ourselves in the Word of God. For when we do, deep roots form, setting a deep foundation into the rich soil of God’s love, mercy, and grace. As we grow, it will shape us into men and women of Christ-like character, standing firm on the truth. In this day of decaying moral and spiritual values, let’s stand tall! Let us, lovers of Jesus, be the shelter for those in need, guiding them to the Way, the Truth and the Life!
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
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