Allen Golec

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:18-20

When I moved to Northwest Arkansas in spring of 1996 I seen the most beautiful flowering white tree. It was a Bradford Pear tree. I soon learned this beautiful was in my opinion a super pollen producer. When the wind blew it looked like a yellow-green fog of pollen blowing through the air. I learned very quick do not go through that cloud, if at all possible, not only for my allergies but because of the stink. The smell of a Bradford Pear is absolutely horrible like rotting food. If this was not bad enough, these trees are incredibly weak. Their branches would break off in the smallest of storms. Now if this tree produced actual fruit, it may be worth all the pollen and work to maintain these trees, but they don’t. They are a non-fruit bearing pear tree.

While the Bartlett pear is of the same family of tree, they produce a very similar looking flower. This flower in turn will turn into the sweet flavor of a Bartlett pear. These soft delicious fruits are mouth watering and delicious in my mind. They are fulfilling and one of my favorite fruits.

I have learned there are many shapes, colors and types of trees in this world. No pear tree screams “I am a Bradford tree” or “I am Bartlett tree” to every passerby I do know I could tell them apart by their fruits. So outside of this post, I do not expect you to know what my beliefs are, but if you meet me in person, I do hope you can tell by my fruits.