We've had this tree at the back of our house for as long as I can remember. I've seen it grow taller than our house and damage our roof gutters.

I've seen it short too since its branches are cut at least once a year to maintain the resistance of our house to wear and corrosion.

There is one month in a year that it seems destitute of natural growth when all it's leaves hang down and fall.

When I was young, I remember scaring myself as I look out the window in the wee hours of the morning when I find it difficult to sleep. It would usually cast a creepy shadow on the ground and I'd assume different scary images on its plain and unadorned branches.

But for the rest of the year it has a wealth of leaves that umbrella the empty space below it which my grandmother has transformed into a very simple yet relaxing garden with a Mother Mary cavern adjacent to it.

Under this tree is my hilarious late grandfather's favorite spot.

When he wasn't going around the house bugging members of the family with his jokes and funny petty distractions, he'd usually be outside, under the tree, enjoying the shade and cool breeze, staring at a wall and having deep thoughts until he falls asleep.

Now that my grandpa is up there bothering the angels with his witticism and funny lines, a small black bird with a white tail has taken over the tree. It has made a nest and secures it on the loftiest point of the tree trunk while it sings melodically the whole day.

This tree is known as Schefflera.

Schefflera can actually be trees, shrubs or lianas that grow up to 1–30 metres (3 feet 3 inches to 98 feet 5 inches) tall, with woody stems and compound leaves.

Two types of Philippine Schefflera, known as S. blancoi and S. odorata are common garden plants in Metro Manila.

Happy Arbor day friends and family!