“I suppose the tree is mature enough now that it should be fine. But the concern now is if I happen to drive somewhere, hop out of the truck for a brief moment to enter a store, and some prankster exclaims, ‘Look at that tree!’ and forcibly extracts it.”
Al frequently shares tree updates in a dedicated Facebook group, which boasts nearly 4,000 enthusiastic members. The group was initially formed by another individual, and once it gained traction, leadership was passed to Al. This arrangement enables him to keep interested parties informed without intruding on those uninterested. Admit it—who wouldn’t be intrigued by this saga?
Initially mistaken for an umbrella plant sprouting from the rocker by various individuals, including my former agriculture teacher, it is now evident to Al that the growth originates from the fender. He identifies it as a Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea in scientific terms). This robust tree species thrives in neglect and harsh conditions. Al notes that he has one ensnaring a palm tree on his Florida property, where despite the absence of proper soil or nutrients, it has asserted dominance.
This seems to be the trajectory for the GMC at this juncture. As Al recollects, “I found the situation amusing and shared it with the GMT800 group since we often jest about the trucks’ propensity for rusting. They’re essentially returning to their elemental form, right? Witnessing earth sprouting from my truck struck me as comical.” However, there’s a hint of melancholy since, apart from the corrosion, there’s nothing fundamentally amiss with the Sierra.
“It’s disheartening to have one less truck available for its intended purpose,” Al laments. “I had outfitted that truck with new tires before the tree sprouted, so it pains me to witness it sitting idle. It serves a greater purpose, you know.”
Al occasionally starts the vehicle and meanders across his property, albeit infrequently. “The tree doesn’t fare well when zipping around at speeds exceeding 30 mph. It endures considerable strain,” he remarks.
The oak tree growing out from the GMC caught Al’s attention as he drove by each day. Initially, he observed tiny new leaves sprouting. Leaving it be for a while, Al eventually decided to nourish the tree with some fertilizer upon noticing its continuous growth. Although he has fertilized it several times in recent years, the tree seems to thrive without further assistance, continuing to flourish.
“I’ve had inquiries from people about relocating the tree if it struggles, maybe into a bed or the ground. However, I believe that moving it would diminish the charm of the oak tree growing from the truck,” shared Al. “I prefer to witness its growth in its current location for as long as possible. If a time comes when it can no longer thrive and eventually perishes, as sorrowful as it may be, that would be the course to take.”
Being an invasive species, the Florida Strangler could pose a threat to Al’s fruit trees on his farm. Hence, it remains attached to the truck until one of them meets its end.
Considering the rust-induced holes in the truck, the odds favor the tree enduring over the long haul.
If you have any insights or queries for the writer, reach out to them directly at caleb@thedrive.com