Yesterday we had to have an old tree taken down. A honey locust, planted too close to the house, when it was first built. My lament about this tree has always been; if only it had been planted 20-feet further out. I've lost count of how many times we've had it pruned back to keep it off the roof, out of the bedroom windows and the rain gutters, only to have it grow back in the exact same place the following season. Hardier than ever. Unfortunately, woodpeckers and insects feasted on it a little too much, which only added to the never-ending fallout of pollen, pods, leaves, twigs, and a host of creepy-crawly things that got sprinkled daily (and liberally) over the deck, chairs, tables and anyone who sat under it. This year seemed worse than ever. Looking closer we noticed stress-cracks in the bark and began to worry about the integrity of the branches (perhaps one falling), and the overall health of the tree. So, taking everything into consideration; a hard decision was reached. We'd been discussing it casually for years though. I suppose, getting used to the idea. Knowing eventually, this day would come. There were a few tears and a bit of angst during the final showdown. To be expected. We could hear and feel the thumps of tree parts falling heavily to the ground. No one could bear to watch.
I bravely opened the back door, snapped this one picture, then ran away and hid during the rest of it. (I'm sure the tree men thought I was bonkers.) Gosh. This picture makes me sad. It's hard to look at. Change is hard sometimes. We'll surely miss the song birds perched at the windows in the morning and the dappled shade under its feathery branches. That's the sad part. But looking on the bright side, we most certainly have more light in the house. A new view of the mountains. And there's the ease of sitting under an open sky.
Which has been quite lovely under big patio umbrellas. (Sarah and I have been reading Bread & Butter Journey by Ann Colver c. 1970. About pioneer families crossing the Alleghenies to find a new homestead.) The strawberries...we picked early Tuesday morning. Both the girls and I visited a local farm and picked 15 lbs. of strawberries in 30 minutes. Those professional berry pickers have nothing on us! Already made 8 small jars of jam; making more today.
Dessert last night; a spruced-up "hot milk sponge cake" with strawberry jam filling.
Served up with more berries and a dollup of whipped cream on the side. Truly a sweet comfort after a rough day. Like a wake for the sad poorly tree.
Hey! Thank you for the garden love; it's day 5 and the roses are still with us! I appreciate the great suggestions for improving the weed situation too. I'm just cringing at the sight of them all at the moment. We seem to have every variety under the sun. BUT I think I'd much rather save any back-bending efforts for...picking more strawberries.
We do have our priorities.
I am sorry for you loss. I have an oak tree that slams my front porch and a pine that punches my porch every time the wind blows. I cannot bring myself to have them removed. I know I would mourn their loss. Be comforted that you have more light and the mountain view. I would only gain a view of my neighbor's back yard. Best wishes always for you and yours.
Posted by: Cgirl | June 18, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Ugh. My DH mentioned the other day that he thought the cherry tree in our side yard might have to come down, and I wailed "Noooo!" like a three-year old. There is such a loss when a tree comes down, isn't there? Hope you enjoy the new light coming in through your windows, though!
Posted by: Janelle | June 18, 2009 at 12:04 PM
So thoughtful and considerate. I share your grief, but I agree there is a bright side. Stay with the bright side!
Posted by: Natalie | June 18, 2009 at 12:51 PM
My feeling is when you have to sometimes remove a tree... the best thing ever is to replace with another one, think healthy, happy, shade... it will come. We planted 3 Maple tree's 2 at one time and then another 1 1/2 later. So nice to see all that beautiful foilage... plus I just noticed today, that we have a nest in one of them! Yeahhhhh, that's another good reason to replant! A bird's gotta have a home too!
Good for you and your industrious side! Looks great! If you'd like to just hand some of that yummy cake w/strawberries and a good healthy dollup of whipped cream... I would be very much beholden!
Posted by: Jean C. | June 18, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Sorry to hear about your tree. One of my all time favorite books is The Giving Tree. Rading your post reminded me of the book.
The strawberries look yummy! I bet the jam is going to be terrific.
Posted by: Alissa | June 18, 2009 at 08:18 PM
I am so sorry to read about your tree! A truly terrible experience to have to go through.
That cake looks amazing!
Posted by: brooke | June 18, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Oh I am salivating...the strawberries and cake...delicious!
It is always sad to lose and "old friend" like that.
Posted by: KinaBolina | June 18, 2009 at 09:09 PM
I am still mourning the death of my huge tree, which provided much loved shade in my back yard. It blew down after a bad storm. It's funny we can feel this way about a tree. I feel your pain. Mona
Posted by: Mona | June 18, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I feel for you. I planted almost every tree in our yard and I just die whenever we lose one.
You picked way more strawberries than we did. I plan to go again on Saturday. Hopefully more will be ripe.
Posted by: Judy | June 19, 2009 at 04:27 AM
Sad, it is always hard ot loose trees. One day, a few years ago, as I lay in bed and my partenr got up and went ot the kitchen, I suddently heard a cry: 'there is a tree in the garden'! I muttered, there are 5 and they are there every day... it turns out that oe had fallen in the night narrowly missing the house... we slept right through.
Love the view!
Posted by: Jess | June 19, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Sorry about your tree :( Your dessert looks delicious! Have a happy weekend. -CS ^..^
Posted by: Cathy Santarsiero | June 19, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I'm at that crossroad- the tree out front needs to come down, but I keep picturing my children playing in & under it for the past 15 years...I know what's best, but it is hard- & I'll take tons of photos, too :-S
Posted by: meg | June 19, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about your tree. Isn't it amazing how attached we can become to such things. A special tree, a special view ...all changed in a matter of moments. Life is fragile ...it only takes moments to make everything all different!
Onto another topic ...I'm so hungry after viewing your delicious cake! Is there anymore left? Perhaps for tea time!
Have a wonderful weekend and look at the all the positive removing the tree will bring you.
Posted by: Alice | June 19, 2009 at 01:15 PM
We are having a similar thing happen at our school. WE have a 200 year old Tuart tree that was struck by lightening and then the termites and bees moved in. Not so safe around the kiddies! On top of that a number of the branches were weakened and with a playground underneath there was no option. Our boss ordered a report on it by a tree specialist to really check it out but alas...there really was no good outcome to be had. I suggested we get a wood turner or carpenter in to make some commemorative benches or plaque from the wood. It's so sad.
Posted by: Jude | June 19, 2009 at 05:53 PM
I like the idea above of keeping some memory of the tree, we often have no idea what our homes were like in the years before we move there.
Posted by: Zia Meadows | June 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM
I live in the woods and we had some trees taken down this year to help others grow to their potential...all the same I chose to be away when the cutting was being done.
I mentioned you as my inspiration one post back. I finally did some embroidery again :)
Posted by: Mo'a | June 20, 2009 at 04:28 PM
P.S. That cake looks delicious...In Iceland we like cream with all deserts...as a matter of fact it is not desert until the whipped cream comes to the table.
Posted by: Mo'a | June 20, 2009 at 04:30 PM
LOL P.P.S. that would be dessert
Posted by: Mo'a | June 20, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Oh, I am sorry about your tree. When I was a girl, we had to have a large elm taken down due to disease and I remember mourning for that tree with my mother. Your cake looks so good!!!
Posted by: Debbie | June 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM
It sounds bizarre to say it but I am glad I am not the only one to have cried at the loss of a tree. I still mourn the laburnum tree that was left in my mother's old garden that we grew from seed gathered on a sunny day years before walking through a park. maybe you could plant a sapling (a little bit further out) to replace the old tree? x
Posted by: Claire | June 22, 2009 at 02:06 AM
Hi Vicki, Sorry about your tree. We had a couple trees went down last Wednesday morning via t-storm. One car's back got smashed badly.We have some really old trees in town and they are actually dangerous for the road and houses. :)
Your hot milk sponge cake looks really good!
Have a great day~
Chase
Posted by: Chase | June 22, 2009 at 10:02 AM
In looking at your picture of the tree being cut down, I was immediately drawn past it to the wonderful tree line and view beyond it. This could be an opportunity to choose a new tree that will preserve your view and still give you and the birds something to enjoy nearer the house.
Posted by: LindaJ | July 01, 2009 at 07:03 AM
I so want to have a bite, so.. tummy tempting
Posted by: Jobs | July 01, 2009 at 04:23 PM