Such a sad story. Trees are so precious and to cut down a good healthy tree for no reason at all is just sacrilege. Everyone should read and know the poem TREES by Joyce Kilmer “ I think that I shalll never see a poem as lovely as a tree……………..Poems are made by fools like me, But only GOD can make a tree. Read it and weep for every tree lost.
If I were a beautiful old oak tree, I wouldn’t want to stand on that jerks lawn either. Hopefully, it got in a good foundation crack or two before leaving. 🌳
If I’m a guessing person, I bet that young man is what we in the south call a transplant. He likely didn’t grow up treasuring the old oak trees like I did. When my husband and I downsized we chose a development with ages old oak trees that are treasured and cared for by our HOA. We spend a lot of money preserving and tending to our trees that provide a shady canopy for walking. How sad that the young man destroyed that tree just because he owned the property and could. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. But he certainly can’t take away the cherished memories of those who lived with that tree throughout the years. Sean, thankfully you shared those memories with us and for that we are grateful. Your words will last long beyond when that young homeowner has left this world.
Such a sweet, sad column. I have news for the owner of that house - that tree was NOT his. That tree simply WAS. Now it is no more. I hope a mob of rabid squirrels chases him into HIS house.
A squirrel is too small. Better it be a pit bull…no chasing necessary. And let the dog have a leg and a thigh for dinner. Compliments of the mean homeowner.
Wow! Great story but didn’t like new house owner. I’m surrounded by trees- I can’t wait for spring to see a green leaf- and now everything’s green & I think it’s paradise ! We have huge Magnolia that I’m sure roots are holding my house up!? But like you It’s sad to see trees cut down. I love the trees, birds, squirrels- all of it makes me happy- that new homeowner can’t see the beauty- sad.
I hate it when they are building a new development and the first think they do is bulldoze all the trees down. Can’t they plan better and just cut the ones they need too? But hey, they always plant one per house, so there’s that.
Karri, unfortunately the tree they plant is usually something like a fruitless mulberry or a Bradford pear which are susceptible to disease and frost and ice. Not a long lasting tree.
This story touched my heart. We live outside city limits on 3 acres. We have lots of trees. I value every one of them. When a terrible storm goes through, I pray for all of us. I even pray that our trees survive.
Reading this, my heart hurts. What a shame to cut an healthy old tree. This would not have happened in Germany. Whenever someone wants to cut a tree there, they have to ask permission from city hall, who will send an inspector to find out if there's any good reason to cut the tree. If the tree is healthy, they denie it. Last month, a multi-million dollar building project had to be abandoned in the city of Hildesheim because in the middle of that property stands a very old, huge oak tree. City hall denied any building permit for that property because the tree is healthy and more valid to people than a building. Such a law should exist everywhere.
Tree cutting seems to be a hobby in my neighborhood. Each time, I feel the pain...The trees are friends. Sentinels really. Marking the passage of time. Keeping us sane. Showing us the seasons. Holding forth court in their branches for critters. Pointing heavenward...God save the trees. Because I don't know how.
Yes, trees are special for those of us who live east of the Mississippi. Was my chore in my teen years to mow the grass at our house in Redmont Park. Every spring the mower blades would chop the sprouts of the various seedlings that had fallen and managed to germinate. One spring, I deliberately went around three oak seedlings, just to see what would happen. My parents lost the house in the 1981 mini-recession that helped sweep Ronald Reagan into office. I was off to the military set on a life path, and my parents never recovered really. I took my fiance back to my 20 year high school reunion (funny thing - about half the people looked as I had remembered them, and the other half I didn't recognize) and I took her by the old house. There were those three oaks I had let grow - tall and proud. Roll forward some years, and I finally had a house of our own to raise a family and I took down the "contractor" trees and volunteers that had taken hold, and planted my own choices over time: Red oak, Ginkgo, Dawn redwood, White oak, American elm (yes, they still have to be treated every two years to stave off Dutch Elm Disease), and a couple of nursery hybrid pecan trees. We have a couple of Crepe Myrtle - though we fear we are on borrowed time with those from an epidemic that is spreading. Yes, trees can help anchor one's life. With respect, they reciprocate.
Such a sad story. Trees are so precious and to cut down a good healthy tree for no reason at all is just sacrilege. Everyone should read and know the poem TREES by Joyce Kilmer “ I think that I shalll never see a poem as lovely as a tree……………..Poems are made by fools like me, But only GOD can make a tree. Read it and weep for every tree lost.
Amen
If I were a beautiful old oak tree, I wouldn’t want to stand on that jerks lawn either. Hopefully, it got in a good foundation crack or two before leaving. 🌳
I'm with you, Lori!! Lol
Why can’t people just be nice anymore? So much anger and rudeness in the world today. It’s so very sad!😢
🎼 “C’mon, people now, smile on your brother.😊Everybody get together, got to love one another right now, Right Now, RIGHT NOW!”🎶
I wore that record out on my record player when I was in High School. Great song by the Youngbloods !
If I’m a guessing person, I bet that young man is what we in the south call a transplant. He likely didn’t grow up treasuring the old oak trees like I did. When my husband and I downsized we chose a development with ages old oak trees that are treasured and cared for by our HOA. We spend a lot of money preserving and tending to our trees that provide a shady canopy for walking. How sad that the young man destroyed that tree just because he owned the property and could. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. But he certainly can’t take away the cherished memories of those who lived with that tree throughout the years. Sean, thankfully you shared those memories with us and for that we are grateful. Your words will last long beyond when that young homeowner has left this world.
He probably didn’t want to take the leaves.
Such a sweet, sad column. I have news for the owner of that house - that tree was NOT his. That tree simply WAS. Now it is no more. I hope a mob of rabid squirrels chases him into HIS house.
A squirrel is too small. Better it be a pit bull…no chasing necessary. And let the dog have a leg and a thigh for dinner. Compliments of the mean homeowner.
I have to admit that I hope much worse than this lol.
I find some young people ( not all ) have a certain disdain for anything of the past. It’s a symptom of a dying society and it’s most unfortunate.
Someone should print this out and pin it to the stump.
Yessss! I'LL BET SOMEONE WILL! HA
It is sad indeed😔. B'ham Municipality should preserve such old healthy trees regardless who the proprty owner is!
Wow! Great story but didn’t like new house owner. I’m surrounded by trees- I can’t wait for spring to see a green leaf- and now everything’s green & I think it’s paradise ! We have huge Magnolia that I’m sure roots are holding my house up!? But like you It’s sad to see trees cut down. I love the trees, birds, squirrels- all of it makes me happy- that new homeowner can’t see the beauty- sad.
This is a wonderful but sad story. Shame on that man! What a rude, obnoxious person. What wonderful memories the older man had. Thank you, Sean. ♥️
My heart has broken, the people like the "tree owner" will never understand that kind of beauty.
Peace and Love to All from Birmingham 🙏♥️😥
I hate it when they are building a new development and the first think they do is bulldoze all the trees down. Can’t they plan better and just cut the ones they need too? But hey, they always plant one per house, so there’s that.
Karri, unfortunately the tree they plant is usually something like a fruitless mulberry or a Bradford pear which are susceptible to disease and frost and ice. Not a long lasting tree.
You’re right. And the single sad tree is planted in the same EXACT spot on each lawn - approximately 6 ft from the driveway!
This story touched my heart. We live outside city limits on 3 acres. We have lots of trees. I value every one of them. When a terrible storm goes through, I pray for all of us. I even pray that our trees survive.
Reading this, my heart hurts. What a shame to cut an healthy old tree. This would not have happened in Germany. Whenever someone wants to cut a tree there, they have to ask permission from city hall, who will send an inspector to find out if there's any good reason to cut the tree. If the tree is healthy, they denie it. Last month, a multi-million dollar building project had to be abandoned in the city of Hildesheim because in the middle of that property stands a very old, huge oak tree. City hall denied any building permit for that property because the tree is healthy and more valid to people than a building. Such a law should exist everywhere.
Wow! Great idea!😊
Tree cutting seems to be a hobby in my neighborhood. Each time, I feel the pain...The trees are friends. Sentinels really. Marking the passage of time. Keeping us sane. Showing us the seasons. Holding forth court in their branches for critters. Pointing heavenward...God save the trees. Because I don't know how.
Yes, trees are special for those of us who live east of the Mississippi. Was my chore in my teen years to mow the grass at our house in Redmont Park. Every spring the mower blades would chop the sprouts of the various seedlings that had fallen and managed to germinate. One spring, I deliberately went around three oak seedlings, just to see what would happen. My parents lost the house in the 1981 mini-recession that helped sweep Ronald Reagan into office. I was off to the military set on a life path, and my parents never recovered really. I took my fiance back to my 20 year high school reunion (funny thing - about half the people looked as I had remembered them, and the other half I didn't recognize) and I took her by the old house. There were those three oaks I had let grow - tall and proud. Roll forward some years, and I finally had a house of our own to raise a family and I took down the "contractor" trees and volunteers that had taken hold, and planted my own choices over time: Red oak, Ginkgo, Dawn redwood, White oak, American elm (yes, they still have to be treated every two years to stave off Dutch Elm Disease), and a couple of nursery hybrid pecan trees. We have a couple of Crepe Myrtle - though we fear we are on borrowed time with those from an epidemic that is spreading. Yes, trees can help anchor one's life. With respect, they reciprocate.