‘Cause He’s in there movin’
Got a knife and He’s prunin’
Cuttin’ out the old man; bringin’ in the new.
And it’s foolish to fake it
So I’m lettin’ Him take it
‘Cause He said I’d be like Jesus when He’s finally through
from the song “Inside” by John Fischer
Our yard just got a haircut. There is so much foliage on and around our property that it takes an annual visit from the tree-trimmers to keep the branches the required three feet away from the house in support of proper fire prevention. It’s odd, though, but when I walk around our yard now, I feel like I just got a haircut — like I was the one that got trimmed. All I know is, the sky is lower; the trees are lighter; the sun is brighter; and I feel my baldness more acutely.
This time it had been three years because of the pandemic, so there was much work to be done. The workers were here for four days. We have three huge trees next to the back of our property from which six houses benefit in shade and beauty making this a community project.
Today, as they finished their work, Marti discovered that one tree in the front of our house, though it was trimmed, was all covered with ivy, and she was assuming they would have cleared that out. Actually there is so much ivy hugging that tree that there is almost more ivy than tree.
For some reason, I’m not sure now even why, I fought with her on this. Whether I thought the tree would look better covered with ivy, or I was thinking about the big hole that would be left with the ivy gone, or I didn’t want to have to pay more money to the tree people (knowing my tightwad self, that was at least runner up) I got very angry — surprising myself with my prideful attitude.
It wasn’t until later, after I cooled down and apologized for my bad attitude, that I began to see a purpose in all of this. I finally agreed we had to call them back to clear out the ivy. After all, it was starting to cover the whole tree, and who wants an ivy tree in their front yard?
Besides this tree has thin branches with delicate little bluebell like flowers that the bees love. Much more interesting than ivy draped over everything.
And then I thought about our own delicate uniqueness that the sameness of conforming to stereotypes and expectations of a group so often covers up. God’s pruning will take care of that. God cuts away what is not us and leaves us vulnerable to what He made us to be even if it leaves holes in our character for a while. It may be painful, but it’s liberating.
And anyway, who ever heard of an ivy tree?
John Fischer The Catch 
God had a great purpose for everything and so true about the ivy because the tree needs to be more open like God wants us to be. Great that God sent his son Jesus to save all of us and with openness we are more likely to receive our Lord and Savior like the saying Just as I am without one plea open with our vulnerable side showing. Thanks for a great message about trees and God.
Interestingly enough evergreen, deciduous and fruit trees, all require different pruning. The idea for all is to maintain their shape, cut out the dead diseased and diagonal branches, and then shape the tree according to its natural shape. Fruit trees for those with orchards is different than someone who has an apple tree in the backyard.. The backyard fruit tree should be kept high enough so one can get half way up an eight foot step ladder to pick the fruit. This vigorous pruning will give good sized fruit and not too much of it. Some times it is hard to give it away . Fruit should be desired. Not like zucchini season when you keep the car windows up and the car doors locked.
The main point of pruning a deciduous tree is to remove the dead, diseased, and diagonal branches and maintain the integrity shape of the tree. Also prune branches out of the inside along the trunk to make an air pocket so wind will keep it clear and insects won’t thrive there. Once finished, look at the tree with the sun behind it. You should have filtered light through the leaves but it must not blind you.
That is the way God prunes us, as is needed and to bear good fruit.
The ironic thing, too, is that the ivy is not native to your particular environment.
It was brought here by individuals wanting to displace the natural habitat for one purpose or another.
Both unforeseen and unfortunate – and even though lovely to look at – the ivy sucks the very life from the other plants in your garden; and ends up costing you a pretty penny.
The ivy represents the tare to your wheat, so to speak…