THE CANOPY of Baba’s Tree extended to the stone sign before the December 2017 Thomas Fire. Since the fire and removal of the dead limbs and branches, there are Coast Live Oak seedlings and saplings sprouting around Baba’s Tree (see the red flags used as markers). In addition, the growth in the upper right-hand corner is Baby Baba’s Tree. The New Life Tree (hidden from view) is to the left at the end of the extended tree limb wrapped in white floating row cover. These trees — plus others from acorns gathered from Baba’s Tree — all form what is becoming Baba’s Tree Grove. (Photo: Margaret Magnus, June 24, 2019)
BABA’S TREE GROVE DEDICATION & PLANTING
Come celebrate the survival of Baba’s Tree and the creation of Baba’s Tree Grove at the planting and dedication ceremony.
PROGRAM — SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019
1:30 p.m.: Plant Seedlings in the Grove
2:30 p.m.: Dedication & Arti (prayers, songs, poems, quotes)
3:30 p.m.: Tea & Snacks
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for Saturday is 50% chance of rain with highs around 60 degrees to lows of 47 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring layers, including a rain jacket or umbrella, and warm gloves. Wear shoes that can get dirty, wet and muddy and that keep your feet warm.
Any rain is glorious for the land and helps Baba’s Tree and the seedlings in the grove.
“SWEET BABY OAK” by Kristina Somma, who was staying at Meher Mount in January 2019 with her husband Robert Turnage as temporary caretakers. She was doing an-art-project-a-day for the month of January and was inspired by the acorns from Baba’s Tree. She and Robert had harvested the acorns, germinated them and then planted them in pots to get their start in life.
BABA’S TREE GROVE EMERGES FROM THE THOMAS FIRE
Baba’s Tree Grove is emerging from the December 2017 Thomas Fire. This grove features the centerpiece — Baba’s Tree.
Baba’s Tree is flanked by Baby Baba’s Tree, a smaller Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) that lived in the shadow of Baba’s Tree and was little noticed by visitors before the Thomas Fire.
The other cornerstone of the grove is the New Life Tree — a seemingly dead stump previously hidden under Baba’s Tree canopy that sprouted to life after the Thomas Fire.
Nature is also adding to this grove with the growth of new trees sprouting randomly near Baba’s Tree — seedlings (from acorns) and saplings (root extensions).
Volunteers also harvested acorns from Baba’s Tree in September 2018 which were germinated and nurtured and are now ready to be planted in the grove.
THE HEART STONE
A naturally shaped heart stone has traditionally marked the spot under Baba’s Tree where Avatar Meher Baba spent time during His 1956 visit. The heat from the Thomas Fire cracked the stone which later broke. As part of the dedication ceremony, we’ll celebrate a new heart stone on that sacred spot with arti (songs and prayers).
YOU ARE INVITED
You are invited to help plant the seedlings from acorns that were harvested earlier and are ready to take root in their new home by Baba’s Tree. Don’t miss this opportunity to rejoice in Baba’s Tree regrowth and the creation of Baba’s Tree Grove.