Today is Arbor Day and while I don't often honor it as I should, yesterday an event took place at my home that reminded me of the important role trees play in our lives. As you can see by the photograph, the maple tree in my front yard was cut down. It was around sixty years old and was ailing. For the past ten years freelance tree trimmers rang my doorbell offering to do the job. I kept putting them off as I loved that tree. It provided shade in hot summer months, beautiful orange and yellow leaves in the fall and breathtaking views in the snow.
Finally, this spring after discovering that the trunk was rotted and hollow inside and that during a windstorm it could fall and either injure a passerby or do serious damage to my house, I made the decision: I had to let go.
During this time of Covid-19 when death seems to be all around us, cutting down a tree seems insignificant. But to me the death of any living thing is no small thing. And this Arbor Day it seems fitting that I pay tribute to the Sugar Maple that stood silently for over half a century giving enjoyment not only to me and previous owners of my house, but to those who happened to pass by admiring its beauty. As I watched it being cut down, it was my fond hope that the tree's wood would find new life as flooring or cabinets in someone's home. If that's the case, then I am comforted in the realization that my tree is being enjoyed by another family. Goodbye Sugar Maple. I miss you.
Finally, this spring after discovering that the trunk was rotted and hollow inside and that during a windstorm it could fall and either injure a passerby or do serious damage to my house, I made the decision: I had to let go.
During this time of Covid-19 when death seems to be all around us, cutting down a tree seems insignificant. But to me the death of any living thing is no small thing. And this Arbor Day it seems fitting that I pay tribute to the Sugar Maple that stood silently for over half a century giving enjoyment not only to me and previous owners of my house, but to those who happened to pass by admiring its beauty. As I watched it being cut down, it was my fond hope that the tree's wood would find new life as flooring or cabinets in someone's home. If that's the case, then I am comforted in the realization that my tree is being enjoyed by another family. Goodbye Sugar Maple. I miss you.
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