The change of seasons does not phase this tree

Bye-bye leaves

The time of leaf-loss is coming to an end. Most, if not all of the trees on campus have shed their outer layer, exposing their spindly bodies to the unrelenting cold. This seems counterintuitive. Some animals grow thicker fur in the winter. Birds ruffle their feathers. People drink hot chocolate and wear eight layers of cotton. What do trees do? They drop their luscious covering of leaves by letting them decay and die.

According to “science,” this is because leaves use a lot of water that is not readily available in the winter, so trees shed their numerous petals of death in order to actually survive. This obviously cannot be the real reason in Fargo, as snow is made up of water, and we all know there will be no shortage of snow here once December hits. Thus, trees must be either stupid or prideful. We will assume the former is not true.

The pride of trees

Trees want acknowledgment. They know they are a dime a dozen, or even a nickel a dozen. In order to be recognized, trees drop all their leaves in the winter to show all the doubters that they are better than us. They do not need eight layers, heck they do not even need one. The bark is basically skin so that does not count either. Trees are pretty much naked all winter just to let you know that they can handle it and you cannot. 

The caveat

Pine trees obviously do not care how you feel about them, which is why they just keep their needles all year. Not because they are better equipped to store water.

Unshakeable

This brings us to Unshakable, the name that has been associated with November’s Tree of the Month. No pun is associated with this name, it is just a testament to the way this tree stubbornly holds tight on its leaves. One might say the leaves would not come off even if you were to shake the tree.

Unshakeable is one of the good ones. It does not need to flaunt for anyone to know its quality of character. It remains true to itself and keeps its leaves. Sure, it showed off a little in autumn, but who would not do that? It looks drab as ever now, and while all the other trees drop their leaves come winter, Unshakeable remains unshaken. Not even stirred.

Trees are basically bees

Mark Twain once said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” Trees are evidently hive-minded. The majority of them think that absolutes are hateful and must be terminated. This is why all trees must go without leaves—no questions. People are far more advanced than trees, as they do not think in such a way, as trees do. Except for pine trees, I guess, along with the few outliers like Unshakeable.

In short, the tree Unshakeable exemplifies what it means to be yourself, to not turn with the seasons just because your neighborhood oak tree does. Besides, in a few short months, all the trees will regain their leaves and go back to the way things were before, and Unshakeable will be one step ahead of them. The societal pressure of following the trend does not phase Unshakeable. It’s not like Unshakeable is just a few short days away from giving in and dropping its leaves, right?