Thank God!!

[slick]

Looking at those pictures, I still can't believe that the branch didn't cause any roof damage. How lucky was that???

Looks like it got quite the haircut and not to worry Laurie....that bottom branch look inviting enough for me....

[catland]

Yikes - that's a lot of branches.

Good to see that the tree itself is still upright. Give it a season or two and it will fill out a lot.

[slick]

I want to bump this up because this tree means so much to Gini and it looks like she will be losing it in a couple of weeks. She tried so hard to save it.

Trees can become family when you've loved them for so long. Sending giant {{{hugs}}} for you and the tree Gini.

Karen, any chance this could be moved to the General Section so everyone can read it?

[Karen]

Okay, I'll move it, will Gini update us on the situation?

[Catty1]

Oh, Gini - say it ain't so!!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Oh, Gini - say it ain't so!!!

Ditto!

Not only will Gini's home and backyard never be the same, the entire neighborhood will never be the same!

[RICHARD]

http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_6....dailynews.com

[gini]

Have you ever loved a tree? When I moved into my home my Norwegian Maple was just a teenager. I could wrap my arms around its trunk and hug it. I loved this tree the moment I saw it. Over the years it has given me so much relief in the summer from the heat with its glorious branches and leaves.

A wind blown virus/fungus - that is what the tree doctor told me happened.

We have tried so hard to save it with expensive treatments and trimming.

This week it was scheduled to have another treatment and the tree doctor gave me my bad news. It is deteriorating rapidly in the interior and the fungus is spreading upwards now into the upper branches.

There is a large hole where I lost the major branch last year and he could put his screwdriver clear through it showing me how soft it is.

So now it is becoming dangerous so it needs to be removed. Can I share with you that I sat down and cried?

My backyard will be bare - my orchids are going to hate the blazing sun - as they have thrived under the tree's canopy.

Sure I can replace it - he already told me that a crane would cost anywhere from $700.00 - $900.00 PER HOUR to bring in a new tree. That doesn't include of course, the cost of a new tree or their costs to plant it properly.

If you have some trees on your property - especially ones that you love - go out and give it a hug.

Thanks for listening.

[Randi]

Oh Gini, I'm SO sorry to hear your wonderful tree can't be saved. Your back garden will look so different without it and you'll miss the shade of course.

It's a lot of money to get a new tree, but I hope you can get one somehow.

((((hugs))))

[Catty1]

Gini...I hope that in time you will find a new sapling that is special for another reason.

Maybe one in a family's yard somewhere?

If you feel up to it - write a story about the tree and its history with you...I am sure the newspaper would love to print it. It would be a tribute to your long-time friend....


{{{hugs}}}

[Bengalz]

Oh Dear! I'm so sorry about your tree Gini Trees are our good friends and losing them can be extremely sad.

I love Catty's idea about writing a story about your favourite tree -- in tribute -- and perhaps a new tree planted in its spot to forever preserve its memory.

Hugs,
Betty

[Russian Blue]

Have you ever loved a tree?.................
If you have some trees on your property - especially ones that you love - go out and give it a hug.

Oh, I do know how important trees are! We have owned our cottage for over 70 years and I have certain one's that I call 'my' trees.

My grandmother planted one of my favourite trees when my mother was born. It was literally, the perfect tree, reaching high up to the sky in perfect form. I always considered it 'my' tree. We had to cut it down last year because of an insect infestation and it still hurts when I look over to that spot and only see the stump. It also makes me sad, since I lost my grandmother back when I was 16 and that tree was especially cherished.

We have so much history on that property and the trees are certainly a part of that history as well. (((Hugs))) to you - I totally know what it feels like to lose an important part of your surroundings.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I'm so sorry about your tree gini!!!

Maybe there's a young tree out there just longing for a good home!!!

[king2005]

I'm sorry to hear the bad news

I know what its like to love a tree.. I love my plants a lot too. I had a cacti that I named Fingers & had it for over 5 years. My ex took it & put it in his bedroom window. I told him not to open his window as the cold from the winter would kill it. He ignored me & it died really fast I was heart broken

[Karen]

Have you ever loved a tree, you ask? Oh, yes, of course.

I loved all the apple trees in my Grandfather's orchard, many had low branches, or branches that bent down to form "seats" for small children. His apple trees were well-tended, and we picked the apples each fall. The apple tree in my parent's yard was quite different. It was a much beloved tree, though the apples it produced were small, green, and hard - good for chucking at siblings who might wander by. There were several great spots to perch in the tree - 4-6 of us (children of the neighborhood) could be in the tree at a time with no real crowding. There were three particularly comfy spots that were good spots to take a book and sit and read. Ma loved the pink blossoms in the spring, and the scent of them was heavenly.

Then, one night when I was returning from college for the weekend, though the yard was dark, I could tell "something" was wrong. When I awoke the next day, there was "the children tree" as Ma had affectionatly dubbed it - being as it was better for kids than apples - was down, in pieces in the yard. It had gotten old, was dropping branches, and needed to come down, sure, but Dad made sure he did it when I wasn't home. He saved me one crooked piece of branch for a "shillelagh" but then the apple tree was no more.