Ironwoodbob Ironwood Tree

The IronwoodTree

The Iron and Wood

"Iron and wood are common.

Wood is organic and Iron is inorganic.

Wood is alive, growing and more transitory.

Iron is dead, eroding and less transitory

Wood is weaker and Iron is stronger.

Wood usually floats and Iron usually sinks in water.

Both Wood and Iron transform with oxygen

Wood is cut from a tree, cut into lumber,is shaved into sawdust,is mixed into pulp as it turns into paper and is transformed into origami to form mobiles that eventually return to the earth as trash that is long forgotten.

Iron is mined from the earth, is forged into kettles, rusts into powder, is mixed into pigment as it turns into paint and is transformed into a picture that eventually returns to the earth as trash long forgotten.

The trash mixes with water and organisms to create fertile soil that nurutures the growth of wood in living trees.

Wood tree roots break up rocks containing iron and mix together to form powder that mix with water and organisms to create fertile soil that nurtures the growth of wood in the living trees.

There is the interdependence between the iron and wood.

>There is an interdependence between everything."

And so it is....

© Robert Leesley 2012

The Ironwood Tree

of the Sonoran Desert

There are many trees in the world called Ironwood trees. This is about the special one that grows in a habitat that matches the Sonoran desert boundary in southwestern and south centeral Arizona, USA, southeastern California, USA ,northwestern Sonora, Mexico, eastern Baja California, Mexico and most of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is found in the dry locales below 2,500 feet, where freezing temperatures are uncommon. They have been known to live to be 300-400 years old. This tree that is famous all over the world for its dark, hard and dense wood is one of the heaviest known at 66 pounds per cubic foot which is denser than water. In addition to its density, the wood contains resins that are repellent to insects, making it virtually non-biodegradable. Pieces of dead ironwood found in the desert have been dated to 1600 years. Ages must be estimated as the tree does not produce rings. Legend says that carvings made from the beautiful wood bring good fortune and luck to the owners.

Growing up to 40 feet tall it is a great perch a top the dry ephemeral washes as it is a roost for hawks, owls, osprey and eagles. Its dense canopy supports nearly 150 bird species. This shaded sanctuary caused by the Ironwood tree tempers the physical environment beneath it as it creates a micro-habitat with less direct sunlight, lower surface temperatures, more organic matter, higher water availability. The environment protects many herbivores. It is very thick and slow growing, it’s often seen with plants that started out beneath it. Air temperatures may be 15 degrees cooler under Ironwoods than in the open desert sun five feet away. It shelters frost sensitive young saguaros, organ pipe cactus, night-blooming cereus and many other native plants growing beneath them

More than 230 plant species have been recorded as starting their growth within the protective microclimate of the Ironwood tree. This tree increases diversity and provide benefits to wildlife. Ironwoods are too hard to provide nesting cavities for birds, but the cacti that grow beneath them provide such opportunities for doves, quail, coyotes, and many small rodents, reptiles, and insects. As with other legumes, the ironwood's leaf litter supplies nitrogen to the soil and its seeds provide a protein-rich resource in June or July and are sought after by many desert animals. Roasted seeds are eaten whole, or ground for use as meal in gruel or baking. As a wildflower nursery is foraged by rabbits, bighorn and other native species. There are 62 reptiles and amphibians, and 64 mammals that use ironwoods for forage, cover and birthing grounds. Within one ironwood-bursage habitat. the Ironwood tree shelters 188 kinds of bees, 25 ant colonies, and 25 other types of insects hosting enormous biodiversity

Oh Ironwoodtree

Composed by Bob Leesley

And dedicated to my grandfather on my mother's side of my ancestry,

Albert Major (October 1, 1895- Otober, 1963).

He always sung and lead “Oh Tannenbaum” every Christmas with his strong German accent.

He was a simple man that owned a extra subdivision lot next to an Elementary School just to raise flowers and vegetables in his garden.

The garden became his claim to fame in the surrounding neightborhood. I am sure that all the childeren who attended went to the school across the street will remember the beauty that he created for many years. The song is based on the melody from Oh Tannenbaum although the melody changes somewhat to fit the words.

Chords and Lyrics

G7 C

Oh Ironwood tree, who I aspire to be.

Dm G7 C

Nurturing all that surrounds thee.

C G7 A7

Oh Ironwood tree, who I aspire to be.

Dm G7 C

Nurturing all that surrounds thee.

F G7

Transforming limbs to firewood,

Dm G7 C

Nurturing all in the neighborhood.

G C G7 A7

Oh Ironwood tree, who I aspire to be.

Dm G7 C

Nurturing all that surrounds thee.

C G7 C

Oh Ironwood tree, unveils the brighter side.

Dm G7 C

Pink flowers in May, toxic resin inside.

C G7 A7

Oh Ironwood tree, gnarly, dark and dried

Dm G7 C

Offering ripe beans, helping fauna survive.

F G7

Glorifying our tree to sainthood

Dm G7 C

When desert rains anoint your parenthood.

C G7 C

Oh Ironwood tree, stand high with pride

Dm G7 C

We’ll follow your way, as our life long guide.

(instrumental)

C G7 C

Oh Ironwood tree, the desert’s only coal

Dm G7 C

Does your form have a heart and soul?

C G7 A7

Oh Ironwood tree, birds roost on high.

Dm G7 C

with your cool shade, there’s no need to fly.

F G7

Surviving all for a million years,

Dm G7 C

With joys of peace and wars with tears

C G7 C

Oh Ironwood tree, more beans to sow,

Dm G7 C

I’ll sleep soundly on top your mixing bowl.

C G7 A7

Oh Ironwood tree, who I aspire to be.

Dm G7 C

Nurturing all that surrounds thee.