“The Black Walnut Tree”, by Mary Oliver, represents strong family values and tradition very well. The poem is about a dilemma going on in a household that is built on land that has a rich history of this family’s tradition. The daughter and mother are having a debate about whether or not they should sell the monstrous but withering walnut tree their ancestors planted decades ago. If they sold this tree they could pay off their mortgage. So what is holding them back? To some families passing down antiques or memorabilia down from generation to generation is something that is done with pride, for this family it is not a watch or earrings but instead walnut trees. Specifically, one huge walnut tree nestled close to the family’s house. This poem displays the sacrifices a family with strong roots will make in order to keep a pastime alive. The first thing that can be analyzed about this family is it appears that there are only two members who make the big decisions in the house, the mother and the daughter. It can be assumed that the father has either passed away or is just simply not in the picture anymore. These two strong women are struggling to pay the mortgage on the house. This is apparent in lines 34 and 35 when the poem says, “month after month, the whip-crack of the mortgage.” The author shows us that the mother and daughter are truly bound down by this mortgage payment each month. Even though paying their mortgage is such grueling thing to do, they will not let