McHugh katherine – Kati

(mick’hue kay’tee)

FAMILY: McHugh-Trussell hybrid

LEAVES: Alternative to sometimes whorled, oblanceolate to obovate, base is undulate in gatherings of well-known friends, and abruptly narrows at midpoint, a doubly-serrate margin in larger gatherings of mere acquaintances due to systemic overwhelm—results in deep cuts to energy reserves. Cuspidate tip with very small capacity for bullshit before hightailing it home.

BUDS: Imbricate, broadly masc and enbies, dry humor to bluntly spoken, splotchy and pale to deep, rich brown in color, often moderately to very hairy, especially in the cases of favored communities: drag artists and grumpy old men.

STEM: “She could have been an engineer,” mother said during the grandfather’s eulogy, after listing each university and degree all younger siblings and cousins had already earned. A penchant for data tools and systems thinking principles, though struggles with most advanced math outside of applied geometry topics.

SIZE: Grows just over 5’ high, with a stout but lively appearance.

HARDINESS: 56 to 78ºF; incurs some residual effects following cold exposure, typically confined to the extremities and base of the trunk. During warmer weather, requires diligent protection from sunlight and careful monitoring of general hydration and electrolyte levels to avoid symptoms of severe dehydration, rapidly verging on permanent wilt. Extended periods of stress may reduce disease tolerance and general hardiness considerably; this can lower tolerance to urban conditions, so carefully consider climate and community suitability for street tree and boulevard environments before transplanting.

HABIT: Solitary, chaotic cycles, typically with peak seasonal interest and strong foundational growth periods in the first warm blushes of spring and crispy twilights of early autumn. Intolerant to repeated long days of hot sun, despite initial signs of flourishing as early summer fogs disperse. One of the more handsome instances of a feminine form in the larger McHugh tree family.

RATE: Moderate to fast, with unmanageable to weedy growth over an initial 5 to 30 year period; slows considerably after maturity (around 30 to 35 years), especially if blighted by virus while also exposed to stressed environmental conditions.

TEXTURE: Medium at peak of seasonal interest and under low levels of environmental stress, generally more coarse in periods of high stress during winter cold snaps and prolonged summer heat, while typically maintaining a commanding presence.

BARK: Utilitarian, smooth grey man overall in early growth stages, likely due to generational traumas inflicted, growing increasingly variable in appearance into early maturity with continued broken, deeply fissured development by late maturity, and a strong, pointed response to injustice, intolerance, and inequities—regardless of the environmental community in which they occur.

LEAF COLOR: Mousey, cool brown hairy protrusions with a generally pale tan appearance with mottled splotches of redness. Auburn hairiness is indicative of henna amendments, which must be repeated every few weeks to maintain the effects.

FLOWERS: An ex once tried to win points by introducing their new dog, “Daisy,” and explaining she was named for Kati’s favorite flower. The actual favorite flower, though, is daffodils—softly white ones, with the frilly peach cups… Sometimes, the Universe is kind with her nudges, and yet somehow still wickedly funny.

FRUIT:cake. Sebastopol apples—Pink Pearls, Gravensteins, Jonathans. Dawn-chilled Black Mission figs and strong, hot coffee under the insulating early morning fog in the homestead garden. Rich, buttery Asian pears, fingers dripping in their syrup. Sexy, grumpy, soft mascs with a dark sense of humor. Persimmons.

CULTURE: Transplants moderately well, though demonstrates shock for significant periods of up to a year following replanting; compatible with a wide range of conditions but thrives in well-drained, sandy liberal soil with copious amounts of coastal sea breeze; prefers diverse biological communities, partial to full shade; extensive pruning in autumn with light maintenance completed seasonally. A balanced amount of urban conditions may be tolerated, but when encroachment of power structures overwhelm an environment, a gradual decline in health can be expected to result.

DISEASES AND ICKS: Dietary intolerances include dairy and gluten (or is it the glyphosate?). Hereditarily susceptible to anxiety, depression, heart disease, a variety of cancers, as well as diabetes, all well-mitigated by the adoption of good nutrition and an active lifestyle… except of course, the proven vulnerability to Long-COVID can limit their continued implementation.

LANDSCAPE VALUE: Unlikely to thrive under the popular model of productive value, unless it is provided with an environment designed for disability accommodation and people-first, highly ethical workplace practices; production can be difficult and inconsistent, and growth is slower than average in many cases, unless provided with ideal conditions, and can be set back significantly with repeated transplantation. In the right environment, though, when the appropriate care and conditions are available, this can be a majestic and impactful specimen.

CULTIVARS:

McHug —an early varietal from early growth stages, known for providing a highly-prized embrace due to its warming, comforting presence.

kMc—the focused and less flamboyant varietal cultivated from years of extreme exposure to mega-corporate parking lots; carefully self-pruning with a minimum of oversight required, which allows this variety great latitude in organizing workers and advocating for community services.

Fire Daddy (common name in urban environments of the San Francisco Bay region, but known in more rural areas as Flame Tender)—nearly identical in appearance to kMc; a common volunteer at select San Francisco queer community events, with widespread applications in hazard mitigation. Commonly found with Narcan, flashlight, gaffer tape, and two-way radio.

Poison Oak—a rare cultivar found only during the peak of seasonal interest at occasional drag events; a grunge, West Coast cousin of Poison Ivy.

PROPAGATION: Unlikely to propagate, but interacts well with the “village mentality" to provide support and guidance for future generations of insightful, compassionate leaders.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Appreciated for its strong heartwood and commanding presence, Kati can be a fantastic addition to communal plantings; responds well to intentional gestures and thoughtful care to maintain appropriate conditions during times of stress, which minimizes their detrimental impacts.

NATIVE HABITAT: Native through McHugh lineage to the East Bay and Napa Valley region of California, and generally prefers the moderate temperatures, cool nights, and moody fogs of the area.