FWIW: I listened to this on my way in to work at 2:30am. So, my brain was in a far different place than it normally is. THat being said, I nearly didn't get out of the car so I could hear the ending. (common sense prevailed and I got out and finished the story at 5am on the way home)
Well, that was different. I've got to say, it was a far more visceral experience than Notebook of My Favorite Skin Trees. Skin trees glossed over some of the more obvious, er...complications, of having symbiotic vegetation. I liked the subtle analogy to a fatal congenital condition or perhaps cancer. The total consumption of the wife by the trees was very moving for me. I know some people have said this seems more like watching someone suffer, or female torture or what-not, and I can see that. I, however, like to read about death on occasion. Good death, particularly. Not the "violent bloody gory" kind. The "peaceful surrender to the inevitable" kind. This likely stems from the nature of my occupation.
Some of us need to believe in glittery purple unicorns, some of us in manly barbarians that get a little rape-y (but not to much), and I need to fantasize about people dying a good death. It takes all kinds....