the photos of happy are hilarious / the story about the tree is sad / i wish it could die it's own death and refurbish itself into mushrooms or something / hiding places for small insects / a haven for butterfly larvae / but i'm just an old crumdungeon who wants to be friends with nature
Did I walk by this tree with unseen defects and conflicts last fall? Shoot. I mean, trunk. There looks to be three of them all leaning away from the street cars like they were trying to exit stage yard. Ooof. I appreciate your high level noticing and research. At least she bloomed this spring and you held the blossoms like an octopus arm.
You surely did walk by this tree! She wasn't bright pink then so less noticeable. She is going out on a high note. I didn't know that trees were held to ADA standards, but in this case, it seems so. I really did feel a connection to this tree and noticed her every time.
Hi Mary Ann!! I think that last photo is a forest pansy redbud. I used to have one but they break easily. So beautiful. Sorry bout your tree friend. I remember each one I’ve ever lost. I think we’re bound deeply to trees.
Beautiful blooms. I took a photo with google lens, which says it's a tamarisk, or tamarix, tree. Unusual. I'm sure you're sorry to see it go. It looks like it's been trying to hang in there for quite a long time.
Nice story. I always feel sad when we (humans) try to (or have to) make things "neat." I guess the City has a job to keeps things (sidewalks) safe for the city's inhabitants. I guess I wouldn't like it if, walking by, the tree split and hit me or someone else on the head. Still, I wish we didn't have to have things so "neat." I gather you live nearby. I wonder if you plan to go by to witness the removal. If so, would you mind asking the crew for a piece of the heartwood that is supposed to give a good dye? I would love to try to dye a piece of fabric with it. Thanks! Helen Liu
I feel exactly the same. I wish it could stay, and somehow sidewalk traffic could coexist with it. They weren't super specific about the day of removal. I thought it was May 7, but it could be a few days before or after. If I can, I'll pick up some wood for you. Pretty interesting about the color/dye process. Sounds beautiful. I know you'd make wonderful use of it.
Thank you ahead for trying! I don't like to waste, part of my culture and family heritage I guess. And particularly something we know is USEFUL! And the tree, so sad. I love seeing those sidewalks that work around trees. Thank you for writing this post.
"Your blogs are a bright spot in my day [had to leave that in of course], and I am grateful to have known something about the smoke tree, your neighbor. Wherever I live I have a favorite tree, and resonate with how attached one can become. Two examples; in Frederick, Maryland, where I lived for 10 years, there was a magnificent American Elm in the median of a divided highway in a rather unattractive commercial area of the city. I never took a photograph of it, even though I knew by that time how most of the elms had been diseased and cut down. The tree kept losing limbs, and one day it was completely gone. The other favorite was actually two rows of old New England maples along the two sides of "South St." in Middlebury, Connecticut, where I went to school. The houses along that stretch were set back from the road, and on a sunny day in the autumn, I walked back and forth in a tunnel of orangey-yellowey-pinkey/reddish leaves; overhead, alongside, and underfoot. It was better than anything Hollywood could manufacture! Here in Eugene, it is the cherry tree in the Rose Garden, and the Atlas Cedar at the northwest corner of our building. Go trees!"
I’m mourning the passing of the beautiful Smoke Tree!! 🥰. A lovely, faithful neighbor! Also, doggy ‘Happy’ looks like a plush toy!
I thought Happy was a toy dog for sure at first.
the photos of happy are hilarious / the story about the tree is sad / i wish it could die it's own death and refurbish itself into mushrooms or something / hiding places for small insects / a haven for butterfly larvae / but i'm just an old crumdungeon who wants to be friends with nature
I agree and I wish the same for the tree!
i think me and that tree have wayyyy too much in common....🤣
exhausted from an ongoing journey
pleasure to hear this
"mary anne"?? haha
I know right- conflicts and defects!! Yikes.
Did I walk by this tree with unseen defects and conflicts last fall? Shoot. I mean, trunk. There looks to be three of them all leaning away from the street cars like they were trying to exit stage yard. Ooof. I appreciate your high level noticing and research. At least she bloomed this spring and you held the blossoms like an octopus arm.
You surely did walk by this tree! She wasn't bright pink then so less noticeable. She is going out on a high note. I didn't know that trees were held to ADA standards, but in this case, it seems so. I really did feel a connection to this tree and noticed her every time.
Hi Mary Ann!! I think that last photo is a forest pansy redbud. I used to have one but they break easily. So beautiful. Sorry bout your tree friend. I remember each one I’ve ever lost. I think we’re bound deeply to trees.
Thanks, Chris! I agree, there is a real bond with trees. It feels so personal.
Beautiful blooms. I took a photo with google lens, which says it's a tamarisk, or tamarix, tree. Unusual. I'm sure you're sorry to see it go. It looks like it's been trying to hang in there for quite a long time.
You know it does look like a tamarisk. The city says otherwise. Odd.
It does have beautiful blooms! It has been trying for a long time...
Hello, Maryann.
Nice story. I always feel sad when we (humans) try to (or have to) make things "neat." I guess the City has a job to keeps things (sidewalks) safe for the city's inhabitants. I guess I wouldn't like it if, walking by, the tree split and hit me or someone else on the head. Still, I wish we didn't have to have things so "neat." I gather you live nearby. I wonder if you plan to go by to witness the removal. If so, would you mind asking the crew for a piece of the heartwood that is supposed to give a good dye? I would love to try to dye a piece of fabric with it. Thanks! Helen Liu
I feel exactly the same. I wish it could stay, and somehow sidewalk traffic could coexist with it. They weren't super specific about the day of removal. I thought it was May 7, but it could be a few days before or after. If I can, I'll pick up some wood for you. Pretty interesting about the color/dye process. Sounds beautiful. I know you'd make wonderful use of it.
Thank you ahead for trying! I don't like to waste, part of my culture and family heritage I guess. And particularly something we know is USEFUL! And the tree, so sad. I love seeing those sidewalks that work around trees. Thank you for writing this post.
Thank you for making art and using all resources!
From Penny:
"Your blogs are a bright spot in my day [had to leave that in of course], and I am grateful to have known something about the smoke tree, your neighbor. Wherever I live I have a favorite tree, and resonate with how attached one can become. Two examples; in Frederick, Maryland, where I lived for 10 years, there was a magnificent American Elm in the median of a divided highway in a rather unattractive commercial area of the city. I never took a photograph of it, even though I knew by that time how most of the elms had been diseased and cut down. The tree kept losing limbs, and one day it was completely gone. The other favorite was actually two rows of old New England maples along the two sides of "South St." in Middlebury, Connecticut, where I went to school. The houses along that stretch were set back from the road, and on a sunny day in the autumn, I walked back and forth in a tunnel of orangey-yellowey-pinkey/reddish leaves; overhead, alongside, and underfoot. It was better than anything Hollywood could manufacture! Here in Eugene, it is the cherry tree in the Rose Garden, and the Atlas Cedar at the northwest corner of our building. Go trees!"