“And the boy loved the tree.......very much. And the tree was happy.”
― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree
This is the tree that is growing into the headstone from yesterday's post but I felt the tree needs a post all its own because well, all 200 year old trees should be the center of attention after all.
If y'all have been following along you know that the church there is the
Fincastle United Methodist Church.
"The original building, very similar to the present structure, was erected shortly after the land was purchased from Patrick Lockhart and his wife for 12 pounds on July 12, 1803."
So that must be when they planted this amazing tree, or right around there.
(Remember the present structure was built in 1840)
Many people believe trees are Sentient Beings. Do you? As for me, I like to think so!
When my parents bought their home in 1964, I was 9 years old. They planted some fruitless mulberry trees, which were supposed to be fast growing trees, but were also supposed to be short lived. They later planted pecan trees to take the place of the fruitless mulberries once they died. I would sit out in the front yard, waiting for friends to come over and I would sing and talk to this one particular fruitless mulberry tree. I kid you not. That tree grew taller than any of the other three trees that they planted at the same time. As my mom got older, she would complain about the "worms" that tree shed when putting on leaves in the spring and what a mess they made. She asked my husband to cut it down. I objected, telling her that was MY tree. I had nurtured it and felt like it was my friend. My father wanted to please my mom, so he climbed it, against my objections (because he was 73) and started cutting down it's mighty limbs. I cried. Before my father would finish cutting down the limbs, he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatment, so he was too weak to finish. He died in May that year. The tree still stood, but was no longer the beautiful, full tree it had been, having more than half it's branches cut off. I begged my mom to leave it....let it live it's life out. She finally gave into me. That tree is still standing, alive after nearly 50 years. I feel connected to that tree. It will break my heart when it does die...maybe it will outlive me.
ReplyDeleteoh wow, i love that story!
DeleteI love old trees. This one is beautiful, you'll have to show it again in the summer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree, and my goodness, I remember reading Shel Silverstein poems to my boys...over and over and over!
ReplyDeleteThe tree does indeed deserve its own post.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see it leafed out -- it's a beauty!
ReplyDeleteOh I love this "Sentient Beings" I love trees and have always had a connection that I could never explain, that is it.
ReplyDeleteOh trees are so beautiful and I love surrounding myself in their strength. Thank you Tanya for this. I am heading back to the bush to visit my "Sentient Beings" right now.Love the history of trees and that is a fantastic one. Hugs B
"Me + tree." My favorite book of all time :)
ReplyDeletewonderful wintry wispy branches
ReplyDeleteThe tree is amazing. Nice to see the whole scene of the church, tree and cemetery.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad you gave this tree a post of its own, it's magnificent! Those winter branches...I love the Shel Silverstein, one of my favorites from childhood:)
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing tree! I've never really thought about trees being sentient beings, but it is definitely an interesting thought! I'll have to figure out what I think about that one haha.
ReplyDeleteHey Tanya, great post. Interesting how so many of use are drawn to trees. Reading about trees being sentient beings actually makes sense. Thank you, thank you! BTW...wonderful photo too.
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing tree!
ReplyDeleteA protecting tree watching over those who sleep the eternal sleep and over those still living attending the church.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Polonica: Home Again. I followed back.
I'm glad you followed up the previous post --- this is quite the tree! :)
ReplyDeleteI just love that story. Believe it or not I just read it for the first time last year.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Beautiful post, Tanya.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tree and I loved Leave It To Davis' comment!
ReplyDeleteYep, I believe trees are aware too! :)
That tree is a National Champion Tree.
ReplyDeletehttp://blogs.roanoke.com/botetourtview/2011/08/fincastle-united-methodist-honeylocust-officially-a-national-champion-big-tree/
I love trees, specially big ones. This one is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love trees, specially big ones. This one is gorgeous.
ReplyDelete