Farewell Big Guy

Today my husband and I had a seventy foot silver maple removed from our small backyard. Even though we have a nice size lot, we have a small backyard. One of the things that we loved most about our home when we purchased it, was the mature trees on the property. We had four trees that were in questionable state. The first was a sugar maple that had the most spectacular fall color. This tree had lost most of its bark due to construction of the new addition on the house by a previous owner. We knew it would have to be removed because it was slowly losing limbs and dying back. Nearby, I planted a Serviceberry.

Then there was a silver maple bordering the neighbor's and our property. It had developed a serious lean toward our house and was becoming extremely close. We felt that while it was fairly small, it needed to come out. Our neighbor agreed that we could remove it because the property line was not clearly defined and neither of us knew which of us was the legal owner. Besides, they were moving, so it was no big loss to them. In its place I planted a red bud and a varigated cornellian cherry.

We also have a lovely white oak near the front corner of our house. I guess I should correct myself and say it is a white oak but lovely would not be the best adjective to describe it. When we first looked at the house, most of the leaves were shriveled up and falling off of it. We dismissed it as a result of a drought. In reality it had Jumping Oak Gall. Not only did it occur that summer, but it returned again the following summer too. We had an arborist look at it and found that it was extremely deficient and needed lots of ammendments to its soil. This summer the tree began oozing at that flares and we were told that it had some type of bacteria infecting it. So it appears that this tree is not long for our yard.

Some time, several owners ago, a silver maple was planted in our back yard. I guess it was probably put there because it was inexpensive and a fast grower. One of the previous owners had removed a huge limb that was heading toward the house. It never collared over, and had been rotting back into the main trunk. It was only a matter of time before the tree would need to be removed, so we decided that sooner was better then later.

It is not an easy decision for me to have a tree removed, especially one that is as large as this one. And so I comtemplated for several years as to what to do about this tree. Even on the suggestion of our arborist, it was with reluctance that I gave the orders to have it removed. I know that some people have little regard about trees. I found that they either love them or hate them. Its easy to tell who these folks are by taking a look in their yards.

But I believe these stately giants deserve a place in our world. With so many new developments going in, the tree is losing ground in our landscapes. Their benefits are numerous. They provide a home for various wildlife and shade on a hot summer's day. If planted in an appropriate location, they can be a natural form of air conditioning for our homes. They add value to ones property whether we like them or not. And lets not forget they remove air polution and provide us with oxygen. So it is with regrets that I remove this gentle giant. I do however, promise to replace this tree with a new one,; for my yard would not be the same without one.

And so I say goodbye to a my big old tree.