This tree must go

Ten years ago it was alive; this mighty elder in the front yard. Since then, it's drawn back and now its tips still sprout an excruciating green, shriveled and unconvincing...but only at the top. It is dying.

We sawed some hefty strong limbs from its lower shady realm, when it was obvious they would never photosynthesize again, hoping to spur a new flourishing at the higher levels. But now, the tops are languishing. The architecture is still there; the bones. But the tree's life is drawn down, leaving peeling bark in its descent.

We will take it down in the fall, after the plants beneath it are dormant. We hope the falling limbs spare the beauties below, somehow. But we are willing to sacfrifice some smaller plants and shrubs to facilitate an efficient removal of this massive cedar. We can always replant.

The birds this evening seem to choke out a song of homage. The tree will be gone by this time next year. No bird that sings has warmed to the lofty pledge of protection for a new nest this spring. They, too, know its promise it gone.