#5 - When you live in Northern California you can always spot some Redwood trees. There is a grove of them up a nice hike at the western edge of my town. This tree, like the families of the pilgrims, has been around for a long time. I call it the New England Family Tree. The coolest part is the base is about 5 feet in diameter.
#6 - This funny looking tree is the ultimate brick wall! None of the branches grow vertically. It looks like someone has done an immense amount of FAN research but cannot find the next generation. I will never grow a tree like this in my yard. I would not want to jinx my research with this tree.
#7 - The neighborhood where my home is located used to be a walnut tree orchard. Most houses still have one or two on the property. Many trim them each year to nubby branches at the top of the trunk so that walnuts do not grow on the branches. Each year small branches grow with the leaves on them. Almost all of these trees end up with an almost perfectly balanced, round top. I see these trees and think of the organized researcher. All of the data in their software is cited and the originals are filed correctly. There are no piles of research that needs to be digitized or entered in software. When we moved into our house, our walnut tree had to go because it was ruining the sidewalk. Good thing, I would not want anyone to get the idea I was super organized!
#8 - This tree represents the researcher who has carefully pruned their tree so that it looks like they want it too. They have snipped off all of the skeletons and not so positive stories. They do not want anyone to think badly about their family. What they are left with is a freaky looking tree. It is kind of like some of the women you see in reality TV. They have so much makeup and plastic surgery that they end up looking odd.
The conclusion of my mini-series will be up in a few days. Join us for Part 3!
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