Once upon a time, in a small village, there was an **accomplished barber** named Thomas. He had been cutting hair for many years and was known for his exceptional skills and precision. People from far and wide would come to Thomas to get their hair done. His barbershop was always bustling with customers who wanted a fresh look. One day, a stranger walked into Thomas's barbershop. The stranger seemed mysterious, wearing a long cloak and a hat that partially concealed their face.
Symbolism of Trees and Tree Burials
Trees are a vital part of nature and the earth’s ecosystem. Humans and trees have a unique and special relationship and trees have come to represent a wide range of meanings for people across many different cultures. They provide beauty, color, scents, shade, windbreaks, soil stability and containment, medicine, wood, and food and an ecosystem to support birds, animal and other life. Trees also sustain life on earth though a fascinating process called photosynthesis where light energy from the sun is used to put carbon dioxide from the air with water to give off the oxygen we breathe. Now, with The Living Urn, families can honor a loved one and give back to nature with a tree burial including a special biodegradable urn and a person’s cremation ashes to create a tree memorial. Growing a memory tree with The Living Urn gives families a beautiful living memorial and perpetuates this wonderful and essential connection between mankind and trees.
The symbolism associated with trees across many cultures are plentiful. In some, trees are mystical and majestic and are considered ancient living beings with energy and wisdom believed to flow through them. Trees are important symbols in many religions, including the Tree of Life in the Bible. Today, trees are one of the most common symbols used in the logo for companies and brands.
Taking it a step further, certain types of trees have their own cultural meaning and significance, stories and connections to humans - here are some interesting examples:
Oak: The "king of trees". The oak symbolizes wisdom, strength and longevity. Oaks can live hundreds of years and grow into large stately sights. It is the national tree of many nations including the U.S., Germany and England and has stood the test of time. Americans used the oak in shipbuilding starting in 1700. Early famous ships constructed with wood from oak trees include the USS Constitution, built in Boston in 1797 and an important addition to America’s fleet involved in the War of 1812 where the strength of its oak hull was put on full display. On the afternoon of August 19, 1812 off of the coast of Massachusetts, The USS Constitution was in a fierce battle with the British frigate Guerriere. Positioned about fifty yards away from each other, the Guerriere fired its 22 cannons directly at the USS Constitution. However, this barrage from the British ship had little effect as its bombardment of cannon balls bounced off the USS Constitution's rugged oak sides, later granting it the famous name "Old Ironsides".
Maple: Strength, intelligence, beauty, adaptive – just a few of the many words that describe the majestic maple tree. With its intelligence, the maple can adapt its root system to a variety of soil types and climates. It has one of the widest geographic reaches of any tree in the U.S. It also displays a striking and beautiful array of colors throughout the year. Maples trees can produce maple syrup, which was an important part of the diet of native Americans.
Dogwood: Loyalty, Safety, Determination. Its flowers form a perfect cross and many associate the dogwood tree with Easter as a tree of new beginnings and renewal. Its flowers display bright, striking colors, a main reason why it is one of the most popular landscape trees in the U.S. It is also a giver – the fruit it produces is a favorite among songbirds.
Willow: Nature, fertility, life, balance, learning, harmony – just a few of many of the words that symbolize the beautiful willow. Its wood has been used in ceremonies honoring the enhancement of mental ability. The shade of a willow helped comfort Napoleon during his exile on the Island of St. Helena. Later, Napoleon was buried under a willow, his favorite tree, and cuttings from this tree became a valued prize among admirers worldwide.
Crape Myrtle: Love, beauty longevity, good fortune. The crape myrtle is a common emblem of marriage in many societies. The flowers it produces are considered to be the flowers of the gods, sacred to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Throughout history, many cultures have believed that cultivating a crape myrtle will bring love and peace to your family.
Japanese Flowering Cherry: Beauty, rebirth and the brilliance and fragility of life – a timeless metaphor of human existence. Its blooms are beautiful and glorious, however, short lived – a visual reminder that our lives are also short and to live every day to its fullest. The beautiful flowering blossoms are also a symbol of rebirth and signified agricultural reproduction in Japan starting in the 700s. Many people in the United States associate Flowering Cherry Trees with our nation’s capital as these striking beauties dominate the landscape in Washington, DC's Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, in East Potomac Park, and on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle
Sizzling color combo! The easy-care, no-fuss, reliably stunning color is no problem for this sizzling First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia 'PIILAG-IX' PP29,325). Start with the flowers. Sunset Magic™ has true red flowers, not a 'deep red-pink' or 'violet-red' or even 'reddish'. This is the red you want in a 'red' flower. And it's not just a few - these large, crinkled, ruffled flowers cover the entire shrub and flowers more heavily than most other dark-leaved Crapes! Speaking of dark-leaved - Sunset Magic™ has deep purple-black leaves that will hold their deep color late into the summer! They are flatter and more lustrous than other Crape Myrtles, too, which only makes the red flowers stand out better! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 7 to 9, Sunset Magic™ grows fast but only to 5 - 10 feet in height but can spread to 4 - 8 feet wide! Hummingbirds and butterflies adore the blooms and you will enjoy the colorfast flowers and leaves all growing season!
Planting and Application:
- Sunset Red Crinkly Blooms
- Dark Leaves Won't Fade In Heat or Sun
- Butterfly & Hummingbird Magnets
- Easy to Grow & Versatile in the Landscape
- Hedges & Specimens, Large Containers, Foundations & Backdrops
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Whether you spell it Crepe Myrtle or as one-word Crapemyrtle, all you need to keep your Crape Myrtles happy is a sunny location and good drainage and you'll have a picture-worthy garden in no time! Crape Myrtles need regular water until they are established, but then they can become drought-tolerant after that! Topdress the soil with a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to hold in moisture and enrich the soil.
Deadhead after the flowers fade to keep the shrub tidy and encourage a rebloom later in the season. Prune in the spring to correct the shape because these shrubs bloom on new wood.
- Full Sun
- Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate to Low Moisture
- Easy to Grow & Low-Maintenance
- Prune Early Spring
Order the gorgeous First Editions® Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle from Nature Hills Nursery today and add a sizzling accent to your landscape today!
Single Stem, Multi Stem, Shrub Form, Oh My!
Before you buy, make sure you know what you're getting! Single-stem, multi-stem and shrub forms are different so read a bit about which we're currently offering below.
Single Stem:
These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stem when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching. Sometimes, you will hear a single stem referred to as Tree Form.
Multi Stem:
These are plants with 2 or more stems planted together in the ground in close proximity to form a clump. There are times multi-stems are formed by a tree that branches at the soil line with more than one main stem.
Shrub Form:
These are bushy plants with many stems and branchings close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.
The stranger seemed mysterious, wearing a long cloak and a hat that partially concealed their face. The stranger introduced himself as Arthur and claimed to possess a **magical shaver** that could change a person's hair in unimaginable ways. Intrigued by this claim, Thomas was eager to see what this magical shaver could do.
Buying Options for Plants
Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.
Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!
Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.
- Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
- Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.
Arthur took out the shaver from his cloak and handed it to Thomas. The shaver had an intricate design, with swirling patterns and a handle made of silver. It felt heavier than a regular shaver, hinting at some hidden power within it. Thomas carefully examined the shaver, and with a hint of doubt in his eyes, proceeded to ask Arthur how this shaver worked its magic. Arthur explained that the shaver had the ability to transform a person's hair into any style they desired, instantly. It could cut hair in a way that no other shaver could, creating perfectly layered cuts, intricate patterns, and even changing the hair color. Thomas was amazed by this revelation. He had always strived to bring satisfaction to his customers, and with this magical shaver, he could take his skills to a whole new level. Thomas decided to give it a try. He selected a brave volunteer from the shop and began using the magical shaver on him. With each stroke, the volunteer's hair transformed into a stunning masterpiece. Thomas effortlessly sculpted the hair, fashioning it into various shapes and styles. The customer and everyone in the shop were awed by Thomas's new tool and his incredible talent. News about Thomas's magical shaver spread like wildfire throughout the village. People flocked to his barbershop, curious to witness the wonders of this enchanted tool. Thomas became even more popular, with queues of eager customers lining up outside his shop. He quickly gained the reputation of being the **best barber in town**, thanks to the magical shaver. However, as time went on, Thomas began to yearn for the days when he relied solely on his skills and creativity to create unique haircuts. While the magical shaver was impressive, it felt like a shortcut, offering instant gratification without the same personal touch. Thomas missed the challenge of crafting intricate hairstyles using only his expertise. With a heavy heart, Thomas decided to return the magical shaver to Arthur and continue his work as a traditional barber. The village rallied behind him, appreciating his decision to prioritize his craft over the allure of magic. Thomas continued to flourish, his talent shining through with each haircut he gave. In the end, Thomas realized that true accomplishment comes not from relying on external tools, but from embracing one's own skills and passion. He remained a highly respected barber in the village, known for his exceptional work and dedication. And though he let go of the magical shaver, the memory of its wonders would forever be etched in Thomas's mind..
Reviews for "Achieving Barber-level Skills with the Magical Shaver"
1. John - 1 star - I was really excited to try this "accomplished barber magical shaver" after reading all the positive reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. The shaver didn't live up to the hype at all. It was not magical in any sense. The performance was subpar and it left my skin feeling irritated and red. I had to go over the same spot multiple times to get a close shave, and even then, it wasn't as smooth as I expected. Overall, a waste of money.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I have to say I was quite underwhelmed by the "accomplished barber magical shaver". It didn't deliver on its promise of providing a magical shaving experience. The blades didn't glide smoothly across my skin and I ended up with a lot of nicks and cuts. It also didn't give me a close shave, leaving behind patches of hair that required additional passes. Additionally, the shaver felt flimsy and not very durable. For the price I paid, I expected much better performance and quality. I wouldn't recommend this shaver to others.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the "accomplished barber magical shaver" but unfortunately it fell short. The blades quickly became dull after a few uses, which resulted in a mediocre shaving experience. The shaver also didn't give me as close of a shave as I had expected. It felt like I was going over the same areas multiple times to achieve a smooth result. Additionally, the shaver was quite noisy and didn't feel comfortable to hold. I was disappointed with the overall performance and wouldn't buy it again.