Jerusalem Thorn Tree Trellis
Color Up / Color Down
Russ Pitman Park
Bellaire, TX 77401
March 15 - May 1, 2014
Human crutches are wrapped in camouflage patterned, pressure sensitive surgical tape to provide a trellis of support for a prickly Jerusalem Thorn tree located in Russ Pitman Park in Bellaire, TX.

The tree was arching, looking for light and barely alive during the spring exhibition of Color Up | Color Down, in 2014. Jerusalem Thorn trees are capable of growing to 30 feet in height in an environment with plenty of moisture. This one remained shrubby because of lack of light. Geographically, Russ Pitman Park is in the middle of its climate zone which stretches from North America to Northern Mexico. Weeks later it produced one bloom.
The tree was arching, looking for light and barely alive during the spring exhibition of Color Up | Color Down, in 2014. Jerusalem Thorn trees are capable of growing to 30 feet in height in an environment with plenty of moisture. This one remained shrubby because of lack of light. Geographically, Russ Pitman Park is in the middle of its climate zone which stretches from North America to Northern Mexico. Weeks later it produced one bloom.

The Jerusalem Thorn Tree, Parkinsonia Aculeata, is a unique plant with long thin leaf stems which are used for photosynthesis. The vibrant yellow blooms of the Jerusalem tree grow in clusters of eight to ten flowers. Sometimes called the Jerusalem Thorn this tree develops sharp briers and can be grown in a multiple trunk thicket to prevent access or create a barrier. Camouflage crutches are a trellis for a prickly Jerusalem Thorn living on the edge of its climate zone in Houston. It needs more sunshine and less water. It bloomed profusely this spring. Missed that photo op! It did bloom bright yellow flowers. My intent was to give it a little lift without embarrassing it.