We had to cut down our beautiful 75-year-old willow oak.
Our tree was hit by lightening a decade ago and with cables and amazing tree aborists and money, we kept it happy enough for our children to swing and rest and hide and love this tree for many years.
But the lightening’s damage was irreversible. We knew this, but the cost of keeping the tree alive for those years was worth it until it wasn’t enough. The trunk has rotted out making the tree unsafe for us and our neighbors.
We cried as the branches fell. My son turned to my husband and said: We can’t cut down the tree. I love it too much.
The tree company left a few branches up so my children could swing one last time.
Thank you and good night, oak tree.
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That sucks
Anne@AlwaysHalfFull recently posted..What I’ve Learned In Preschool
I’m so sorry! Trees are magestic.
Read the book, A Tree named Steve. Beautiful book about how wonderful a tree is, even when it falls. Or read Bess’ Tree – which I cannot find on amazon – but describes a tree funeral.
When I was five or so, we lost our elm to elm rot. But the stump became a great seat and then that spot became my garden.
Kate recently posted..Shhhhhh
UGH. Heartbreaking. We had a gorgeous old live oak tree right next door that used to bring me joy on a daily basis. When the road construction started, and they began to widen the highway we live on, they cut down that old tree without a second thought. I cried for DAYS. I hope for healing for your family. Maybe you could plant a tree together, in memory of the tree you lost. ♥
Abby recently posted..My Tattoo Experience (In Pictures)
Abby, I had this experience, too– a magnolia tree I used to climb and hide out in all the time as a kid, in a neighbor’s yard, and one day I walked outside and it was missing all its limbs. I just about fell apart. The next day, it was gone. It’s so heart-wrenching. Alex, I feel your pain for that beautiful tree you guys lost!
Erica recently posted..When it gets personal
Oh, how sad. I’m sorry. I’m glad you have lots of photos so your kids can look back and remember their childhood tree.
awwww, alex! so sad. i love trees. this made me think of The Giving Tree, although I do love a Tree Named Steve. Sending hugs!
xoxoxo
Was your arborist named Brian? The reason I ask is we’ve had some pretty major damage in the past and when he came to our door to tell us he couldn’t save a tree, he looked like he was going to cry. We’ve used him ever since.
His name isn’t Brian, but the tears would’ve sold me too. He did suggest we plant a new tree and helped comfort my 6-year-old who was sobbing.
Maybe Brian and your guy are brothers?
I’ll be sending you hugs while you grieve about your tree.
This made me teary. It is a tragedy and a loss when we have to cut down trees; especially the ones that grew, and lived and loved. This reminds me of the book The Giving Tree…which I can never get through without some tears. So sorry.
Julia recently posted..New Look, Same Me
All those memories. This made me cry. So glad you have all of the pictures to remember your tree with.
Lily from It’s A Dome Life recently posted..10 Things Painting Has Taught Me About Relationships
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