September of 2001 was cause for celebration. The arbequina olive trees had arrived at their new home in Central Texas. Although, he’s a saint best known for granting fertility to women, a quick prayer was offered to St. Gerard to help the trees grow and bear fruit. Now, twenty years later the strong branches that once provided cool shade from the blistering Texas sun, have become denuded, charred and twisted. The skinny arms of the once bountiful trees stick up in the air as if they’re gripped by rigor mortis.