Fifteen years ago, my dad had to cut down a Sycamore, giant and majestic, that he had planted when he built the house in the 1950’s. He left a very high stump, which soon sprouted and the new branches, themselves became a problem. They got in the way of power lines, blocked the view of ‘ and the mountains. Everyone fussed at dad, but he continued to just “trim” back the limbs.
Now my son has built a house next to my father and has become concerned that a tall poplar that dad also planted nearly 60 years ago could fall onto the house or damage property if we don’t cut it down. Not only is dad’s heart broken, I find myself grieving it too. I now understand dad’s feelings. It isn’t just a tree, even a majestic tree, it is a collection of memories, a diary of sorts. They are two trees, one ruined, one soon to be that deserved to be giants in some preserved forest. I see both myself and my children gathering sycamore balls, poplar blossoms, the trees were part of what “home” meant”
I have no answer, I have thought of ways to donate the wood and such but have found no affordable options. When I see a tall tree, still safe in the forest, I smile. And, as with the Sycamore tree, I can’t help but hope that sprouts will appear from that immense root system and at least be a reminder of what was and what should be.
beebeesworld 
danaiana said,
March 31, 2013 @ 4:41 am
Thank you for your visit and comment. I already follow your blog. I wish you a great day!
marcyl said,
March 31, 2013 @ 1:36 pm
That would make me sad too. Before a big tree was cut down in my neighborhood, they took a picture of the family with it. Then, they laminated the picture and mounted it on the stump, and I see it when I walk by. It’s not the same as having the big tree, of course, but I thought it was a cool idea.
SusanB said,
April 1, 2013 @ 4:03 pm
That is a very cool idea.
The thing about us humans is: be it trees or people, we grieve what is gone, it’s how we were made.
bert0001 said,
March 31, 2013 @ 7:29 pm
I also feel for trees.
Lindy Lee said,
April 1, 2013 @ 11:53 am
One huge tree, especially the broad leaf kind like a Sycamore, exchanges thousands of gallons of water every single day into the atmosphere. Without the trees we cannot breathe…
beebeesworld said,
April 2, 2013 @ 1:34 am
I agree- I hated it, but the trees were in danger of falling on my dads house. It broke his heart as well. He has let the Sycamore sprout back up to maybe 20 feet over the years and I am hoping for poplar sprouts. Dad didnt realize when he planted the trees within 40 feet of his house (on a hillside) that one day, they would become a danger to his home. I only wish they had been in the pasture and that my mom had not been the only one who didnt want to tell it to the realtors. At least there are 8 mansions there instead of 40 tract houses. My kids and I should be walking there today, as it was, as it was meant to be. Thanks for reading beebeesworld
Kev said,
April 1, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
What a shame! I can only imagine that your dad’s feeling run as deep as the roots of that tree.
beebeesworld said,
April 2, 2013 @ 12:56 am
The tree was cut down today-I havent seen the result yet. Thinking of it brings tears to my eyes. My dad planted that tree when I was a little child, who would have thought that many years later, the tree would tower above the house in such a way. I only wish the tree had grown in a n area where it could have lived beautifully for another hundred years. beebee
· Der Silbenschmied said,
April 4, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
I love trees very much. I love to touch their bark and enjoy their size and what they all do for us (except their litter of leaves everywhere around my place in the autumn :-(). My mates and me spend much, much time in the woods. I grew up in the country and almost any of the old farmhouses, here in Lower Saxony, had at least one oak tree (often more) near by. They used them as a lightning protector (Two or three hundred years ago. Today they keep up with technical progress).
Your description made me think: What once was good for protection, or was so beautiful and monumental, has become a danger and was put away.
Poor tree. But I am very sure that he has left a descendant.
beebeesworld said,
April 9, 2013 @ 1:48 am
Frank, I am hoping a small tree grows somewhere too-I do not know where-It made me very sad, but it was hanging very high over my dads house. Thanks for reading my blog-I have some new stories today-monday. your friend brenda
My Safe Harbour | On the Homefront said,
April 18, 2013 @ 9:49 am
[…] Requiem for a Sycamore and Poplar Tree (beebeesworld.wordpress.com) […]
johannisthinking said,
July 12, 2013 @ 2:56 pm
your sentiments for the trees and the lives they have touched…lovely! life…so many comings and goings…may its sprouts come to new life!