This big old oak was the most interesting looking tree on our heavily wooded property. Full of twists and turns throughout it’s branches and right outside my back door. All the other oaks grew straight up, as you would expect, but this beauty, had loads of character. One could not help but be inspired by it, everyday, never taking for granted it’s grand size and shady splendor.
Topless Tree
One day while working outside I began to hear the cracking sound of something very large and very near. Surrounded by gigantic oaks, I started looking up in a “Chicken Little” like manner, somewhat panicked. Searching out the sound as quickly as I could, the crackling noise alarming and then suddenly, ka-BOOM! The enormous top of this tree came crashing down so loudly as if to shake the ground, about fifty feet from where I was standing.
Unknown Artist
Visually I have grieved it’s absence however, it has provided the studio with comfort and warmth for two winters. I’m burning the last of my favorite oak today on one of our last chilly mornings of the season.
After our winter storm (a few weeks ago) we had lots of fallen tree branches throughout the neighborhood. My hubby and I loaded up on wood from their cuttings. Can’t let a good thing go to waste. The wood shed is now full and it didn’t cost anything!
A good feeling, isn’t it? We lost another big tree that is cut into sections. We’ll split and should be ready for next winter.
I know what you mean about favorite trees. I’ve had the chance to watch a few fall (from the safety of my home) and am always amazed at the strength and height of the large timbers. I burned my last fire yesterday. With the rainy, chilly weather it seemed like a great send off to winter.
Yes, I share your sentiments Annie.
Had a similar thing happen in our backyard last Fall, though it happened in the middle of the night. My husband and I were awakened early one morning by a loud crack. At daylight we saw the result of the sound; about a 30 foot long pine branch had cracked from the main tree, and fallen right in front of the barn door. We now have nice sizable stack of wood drying for next winter’s fires in the family room fireplace!
OMG I am so sorry about the tree, it is a beauty! Thank goodness you heard it and was not in arms way. We had a neighbor who went tree chopping happy, sadly the Eco system did not like this and two of our trees have been effected and we have been told by a highly respected tree expert who works at the NY botanical garden they should come down. We had some bad weather and I thought they were sure to fall…..yet they have not, now I worry every time I go in to the back yard and I hear a breeze .