The soothsayer in William Shakespeare’s Julius Ceasar ominously warns, “beware the Ides of March.” For me the saying should be, “beware the winds of March.” As long as I can remember, March is always a windy month. This past Monday, March 7, we had a terrific windstorm. I wasn’t home, so I missed the storm. My neighbor texted me the next morning to tell me she was sorry about my tree.
Upon returning home, I found the remnants of the tree. The tree was a majestic concolor fir, also known as a white fir. This type of tree is not native to the area, so it was probably planted as an exotic tree, along with the Japanese Umbrella Pine, around the same time the house was built. It thrived in its location. The slightly blue needles were the perfect contrast to the darker green of the Pine. The tree was more than 50 feet tall.
The tree had a good life. It had lived for 90 some years. At the time it fell it must have had quite an impact, as some of the branches were buried in the soft ground. When I spoke with my nearest neighbor, he expressed surprise it had fallen. He told me he did not hear it. This is perhaps confirmation to the age-old question – if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it does it make a sound? The answer is apparently, no there was no sound as no one heard it.
I cut off all the branches and the topmost part of the fallen tree with my chain saw. The large fork in the tree made the tree lush and full, but it was also the cause of the tree’s downfall. The weight of all the branches at the top made the tree top heavy. A strong gust of wind hit it at just the right velocity to cause it to snap.
The tree was 30 inches across at the base. Too big for me to cut down, so I hired my favorite tree guy – Anthony from 1-2 Tree. Within 1 1/2 hours the tree was gone. The limbs and the trunk were chipped and deposited in a pile, ready for me to disburse in the woodland garden. I saved a section 4 feet in length to use as a pedestal for an armillary I will mount in the woodland garden.
The tree was beautiful in all seasons. As an evergreen tree it did not provide a lot of shade, however this did not matter. It graced the landscape and presented a picture of establishment and good positioning.
Given the horrific situation in Ukraine, how can I lament a tree and think this is relevant? Nature gives and takes away – trees, buildings, and people. I will plant a new tree in its place. It will be different, but my yard will continue to be beautiful and welcoming. Ukraine will rebuild. It has survived Napoleon and Hitler, and I believe will survive Putin. They will rebuild. It will be different, but Ukrainians are strong people, and they will continue to exist in their own country. Sir Winston Churchill rallied the British with the phrase, “this is our finest hour.” Without a doubt for modern day Ukraine, “this is their finest hour.” The finest hour of my tree has passed, but it was glorious while it lasted.
Even while I lament my lost tree, I look to Spring and take heart with the first blossoms in the garden.
I remember that tree all too well. I mowed under it probably 500 + times. I recall the way I would circle around that area and go in reverse, turn and go forward again turning the wheel irregularly at every turn. It was hard to get a straight mowing path down there, but it was always one of my favorite areas of the property because I always saved it for last and after 4.5 hours of
mowing which I did weekly from April through October and sometimes even November for 10 years before I left for college. The property was my haven. I made it my responsibility to care for it. I lived outside and in many ways, I spend a considerable amount of time today perfecting my .25 of an acre. Neighbors are always amazed by what I do outside, but my habits are deeply rooted in the magical grounds of One Genna away (formerly 435 Route 9W).
A nice memory Seth. I have no doubt your yard must be lovely. Being outside and working in the yard is exceptionally rewarding. I enjoy it tremendously.
Brilliant open! Hopefully, Tuesday will bring nothing to beware.
Thank you Amy. Spring is coming. I am optimistic the Ides of March will be lovely. Hope all is well for you.
Thank you Paul. Sorry to hear about this tree but you will make the most of its remains!
Thank you Suellen. I am grateful for your support.