A Tree Does Not Grow in Dodge City

This is the first tree we planted in our Dodge City yard.  It is an evergreen, in case you could not tell.  We deliberated for some time about where to plant it.  We didn't want it to block the view when we were pulling out of the driveway.  (We are nothing if not forward thinkers.)  The STP brought this tree home from somewhere.  It was like a prize and he loved it.  And he faithfully watered it.  And we never mowed it over.  It is dead.   It has been dead for almost a year.   We continue to mow around it.  Just in case.

You might remember this next tree.  We bought it from the not-quite-a-stuffmart grand opening last Spring.  You can see what it looked like when we brought it home.  We were so hopeful.  We planted it strategically to provide us some privacy when we sat on the porch swing. (If you google map street view our house you can see what it looked like last fall when it still had leaves.)  It did not get any leaves this Spring.  I am pretty sure it is dead.  The STP thinks it is a slow starter.  He thinks it will get leaves.  He continues to water it.  His picture is in the dictionary under optimist. 

This little gem is a red wood something I can't remember right now.  It came highly recommended for this climate and offers year round beauty because it has that awesome red bark which adds interest to my winter landscape.  Princess Amidala and I purchased it in the Fall.  We could hardly contain our excitement. I planted it where it would hide the vent pipes on the side of the house.  (You can not see the vent pipes in this picture because they are about three feet above the top of the plant.)   It certainly added interest through the winter, but it has failed to show any signs of life this Spring.  The STP is not highly invested in this one, but I'm going to leave it in the ground a little longer.    

When I first moved to Wyoming, I wondered why they didn't plant anything here.  Now I know. 

Saturday I am going to plant some more things.  Never give up.  Never surrender.