My children are obsessed with these trees. When they were small they used to race underneath them, or skip underneath their fairytale canopy like a Goldilocks or Red Riding Hood would. Now that they’re bigger they climb into the arms of their branches. Last summer – yes, after all this time – we learned they have edible berries. Saskatoon berries, I think. I’m not entirely sure. (Scratch that, the wiki entry describes it pretty well. It’s also called a serviceberry!)
I occasionally notice the rare person picking them into small containers, but we’re definitely one of the very few people who Know We Can Eat These.
It’s amazing. We’re talking about a substantial grouping of trees, right next to a high-traffic kind of place. Everyone should be picking them. But they’re not. In fact, I get weird looks for letting the girls do it. Because of this I’ve been limiting their access.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more trees and shrubs planted by the city bore edible fruit? Can you imagine raspberry bushes encircling public parks, apple trees dotting the Byron pathway, grapes wrapping themselves up chain link fences?
Ottawa should be about more than just tulips in the Spring. What do you think?
The Saskatoon berries are past their peak now. Besides, the starlings have gotten the best of them anyway.
“I wish I could pick the berry at the very top of the tree,” said Sarah.
“Why is that?”
“Because N told me the one at the top is always the sweetest!”
You know what, I bet it is. But then again, everything tastes sweet when you’re six and you’ve picked it yourself.
