Dead Giants

(Moon and elm.  All photos © 2009 by Robin)

Two large elm trees on our property will be coming down as soon as the weather is warm enough and dry enough.  They have succumbed to Dutch elm disease.  There is no saving the trees as they are quite dead.

(Sun and elm.)

While out on my walk yesterday I took (too) many photographs of them as it seemed to me that these beautiful giants deserve some sort of recognition.  They provided shade for us during the hot summer months and a frame for many a gorgeous sunset.  Walking near them on a windy day is now a dangerous proposition as branches and large chunks of bark come flying off at amazing speeds.

We would normally leave the trees to die and come down on their own, providing a home for some of the wildlife.  However, they’re located near my vegetable garden and I’ve already been hit by small pieces of bark while out there looking around.  I’d hate to have half the tree come crashing down on me while I was weeding.

What did the tree learn from the earth to be able to talk with the sky?

~ Pablo Neruda