My heart is heavy. An old friend of our family is dying. Our friend has been with us since we moved into our current neighborhood. She was among the first to welcome us to our new home and she has faithfully stood alongside us for more than 20 years. Even then she was years older than my wife and I and had already seen her share of good times and hard times. She was present as people moved in and out of the neighborhood and as new homes were built. I don’t know how old our friend is but I suspect she arrived shortly after the streets of the village we live in were being laid.
But now, we need to say goodbye to our old friend. She’s very sick; it’s her heart. Our old friend the Maple Tree has a fungus (Heart rot) that is killing her from the inside out. She still looks good on the outside; with a few bare smaller limbs here and there and a few brown leaves, but she is dying. We asked the Arborist if she could be saved and were told she is likely already rotting, if not hollow, at spots inside and if not removed, our last large maple tree next to her could be impacted by the fungus.
I’ve spent the last several weeks as I’ve been recovering from a fractured L1 vertebrae, sitting on our porch with my dog, Lucas. We have appreciated the shade and semi-privacy our old friend the Maple Tree gives us. We have appreciated watching the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks as they enjoy our friend. I listened to the rustle of our old friend’s leaves yesterday, closing my eyes and wishing we could understand each other.
Some might think it silly to talk about a tree as if it’s a friend. But I can’t think of our old friend, the Maple Tree, any other way. She has been good to us. She has given us so much and never asked for anything in return. My wife and I have both commented about the loss we are going to feel. I thought it only fitting to take photos of some of the unique and special features in honor of our old friend before we have to say “goodbye” to her.
I would like to introduce you to our old friend, the Maple Tree.
Goodbye, Old Friend. You will truly be missed.