While my stomach tightened every time I looked up, he seemed completely at ease. When I asked how he managed so high above the ground, he simply said, “It’s a nice view up there. That’s the part I look forward to.”
This morning, I said goodbye to the enormous old tree in my backyard.
iPhone 16 Promax
I had known for some time that it needed to come down, but watching the work begin made the moment feel real. Little by little, the branches disappeared until only the tall trunk remained against the clear blue sky.
Watching the climber work so high above the ground was incredible. With ropes, a chainsaw and a great deal of skill, he carefully brought the tree down one section at a time.
One of the workers told me that the hardest part would be the base—not because of the height, but because the trunk was so big. Looking at it closely, I could understand exactly what he meant. The base was enormous.
My neighbour’s friend also came over to choose some of the logs for firewood. I was glad about that. It meant that part of the old tree would still be useful instead of everything going to waste.
Although I felt a little sad watching it come down, the garden already feels different. More sunlight can now reach the area, and that has given me new ideas.
There will be cleaning and planting to do when everything settles. I am thinking of filling around the remaining stump and creating a place for herbs—not in a hurry, but slowly, as the garden shows me what it wants to become.
For years birds have loved coming to this tree. Want to know how I knew? I hear them every morning when I wake up. Once the kookaburras were even based there. This morning, for the first time, I don’t hear anything, and why that should bother me, I don’t know. I was told the tree is dangerous and it has to go, and since that fence saga, things aren’t quite the same anymore. If you lived for twenty-six years in that same residence and something changes, home doesn’t feel like home anymore.
Nikon D7100
The tree removal crew kindly gave their permission to be photographed.
The old tree may be leaving, but it has opened the way for sunlight, usefulness and new growth.
Sometimes one ending quietly makes room for another beginning.
It is sad when you know that birds used the tree. I hope there weren’t occupied hollows but the tree fellers would have checked I hope.
A new garden has prospects. The firewood rounds look good. Do you know what species the tree was?
Yes very sad waking up this morning and I didn’t hear any birds. There was none but a long time ago. After the fence went up they were gone. Thats the best part a new garden idea still working out what to plant there😊.
It was a gumtree.