The Handkerchief Tree

Known as the Handkerchief or Dove Tree (Davidia involucrata), it is native of Central China. In late May, the flowers flutter in the breeze like waving handkerchiefs, or flying doves. We have searched for a long time to find this one, and today we did.

This place will now be very special for me, to remember a wonderful friend, and also my father in law, who used to get out his big hankie and wave it everytime we drove down the drive when we left his home. He waved and waved it until we were out of sight. It became such a tradition, that his eldest grand-daughter/my niece, made him a specially decorated one, which used to hang on a hook in the hall, ready for him to wave whenever any of the grandchildren left.

Remembering HBK and AST. "In quietness and trust is your strength" Isaiah 30 v5.

S