Death of a Tree

[Seishin]

Many thanks to all for your thoughtful advice. A large cherry tree in front of my house also took a beating but may be able to be saved. At the very least, as Seishin said I will "cremate" some of the tree and save the ashes. I've used ash in the past for fertilizer mixed with my compost. So new life will happen from this.

Gassho
Sat Today
James

James

Just a thought before you light that fire. If the trees not long fallen, you should be able to take some cuttings. With a bit of growth/root hormone you should be able to get some "reincarnations". Cut about 30-40 cm lengths of hardwood, the bit after last years growth (possibly this years if started). Dip the ends into hormone powder and place in compost, make sure bud tips point up not down. I grew about 20 (from around 60) poplar cuttings last spring, just placing the hormone dipped cuttings in jars of water.

No death or cessation of death.

[Beldame]

The Japanese Maple behind our home, next to the spot in the yard where my husband and I got married, died several years ago over the course of the winter and it's a loss I still feel. (And I must admit I never thought to find a use for its wood when it was taken down and away.) We planted a second small Japanese maple in its place and each winter since I have looked at its bare branches and thought it would die like the other, but so far it is holding on. I can understand your sense of loss--sending best thoughts for your tree and whatever arises from its ashes.

Gassho--
Deborah

SatToday

[KellyRok]

I'm so sorry James! Like others have said, I would be inclined to save some of the wood it provided and make it into something useful or just to keep as a way of remembrance.

I love trees, always have. We may be forced into making the decision to cut down an oak tree in our backyard that is well over 100 years old and over 100 ft tall. It is enormous and beautiful, but it hangs over my house and my neighbor's house. It is slowly dying because the previous owner had cut a part of it down and damaged the root system. I will only have it cut down in a responsible and respectable manner as many squirrel families live in the tree...we enjoy watching the new babies travel down the tree each spring to eat the nuts and seeds in our yard. While everything is a lesson in impermanence, it isn't always easy to accept.

bows,
Kelly/Jinmei
sattoday

[Ryumon]

Read this story about photographer Michael Kenna and a tree that he photographed many times over the years:

https://mymodernmet.com/michael-kenna-kussharo-lake-tree-japan/

[Joyo]

We are snowed in enduring a major storm right now. I just saw that my beloved 52 year old Japanese maple tree has collapsed and crashed to the ground. As an avid gardener, this tree was the centerpiece of my garden. I nursed and cared for this tree through blizzards, disease, hurricanes and insect infestations. It brought happiness to lots of people and was a home for the birds. Now it's a pile of sticks. I know its only a tree and people are going through far worse, but I am really sad about this. I really loved that tree. I guess this is a tough lesson in impermanence. I guess.

Gassho
Sat Today LAH
James

Hi James, I know people are going through far worse, but I feel your pain.

A few years ago a beloved tree in our backyard cracked at the trunk and we had to have it taken down asap for safety reasons. I cried, and cried. That tree was also home to birds, it was huge so it gave tons of privacy in my backyard. It was right outside my bedroom windows so I woke up each morning admiring it. My kids also grew up with it, climbing it, sandbox underneath, hrs of mud puddles around it, and it had a swing attached to it. I really did love that tree.

We planted a new tree in it's place. It does not replace the old one, but maybe you could do the same. Think of it as a time for new growth, new beginning.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah