Creatively Repurposed
We lost 8 long-needle pines in the last couple of years due to a combination of dry summers that sandwiched one long and very harsh winter. It was pretty obvious last fall that they were beyond recovery, but I just didn’t have the heart to take them down until this spring.
When the time came to finally face that chore, I decided to see if I couldn’t find some creative way to honor the memory of the pines. It just didn’t feel right to cut them all off at the ground. Of course, I have some history with this ploy of not cutting a tree to the ground and then using the remaining stump for something new.
At our home in Eden Prairie, I saved the 2-3 inch diameter trunks of a cluster of 3 choke cherry trees that had sprouted in an unwelcome spot of our yard, and then balanced rocks on them to create an interesting visual display. I liked the results enough to resurrect the concept again. In this instance, however, I have one item that will be more functional than a rock. It’s a birdhouse (Thank you, Mel & Greg!).
We have some really nice rocks here, so putting a few up on tree stumps is irresistible to me. While I was cutting down this tree which was leaning significantly, I discovered a twiggy young oak tree growing beside it. If that oak survives the abuse that some critter has enacted on the bark of its skinny little trunk, someday it may tower over the end of our house beside our bedroom in the spot where this pine was unable to survive.
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Relative Something 
I know your tree predicament. A few years ago I planted two cedars of Lebanon, one for each of my daughters. You may remember Patricia’s just across from the house. It ‘was’ the star of the garden. Stephanie’s, much further up, grew so slowly and I thought at times it wouldn’t survive. Well, imagine: the opposite has happened. The cedar that thrived so beautifully has died for no apparent reason. Maybe, it was the early very hot dry spell. Being a bigger tree it needed more water. I don’t know, but now it is yellow and will need to be cut down. It is a foot across at the bottom. Since it was a mark of Patricia’s budding success, it is really hard to see it go and I’d like to find a way of preserving some aspect of it. Any ideas beyond a bird table? I was wondering about a maypole… P.S. Great and not so great news: Luis is off to Switzerland for the apple harvest for several months at least. It is the first time he has been abroad. He came to talk it over with me and of course, I encouraged him to go. He is young and needs to see the world, experience the big adventure, too, doesn’t he? Of course, I am going to miss him. We have shared so much (fun) together. And I don’t know what I am going to do without him… No more safety net for the time being.
Ian Rowcliffe
May 7, 2015 at 9:03 am
What if you left a head-height amount of the trunk standing and cut notches in it with the chain saw to create many mini-tables for the birds. It would reflect Patricia’s vocation of healthy eating of a variety of small portions. Doing little angled cutouts with a flat bottom would give birds a sheltered perch from rain, too.
(I saw your note in Brainstorms that Luis’ spot was filled. Good for you, but too bad he misses out on the rich experience of another land.)
johnwhays
May 7, 2015 at 10:56 pm
Yes, indeed, about Luis. But now he can help me with the tree project:-) Thanks for your suggestion. It is more specific than my idea. Could you enlarge on it? Is your idea to add ‘plates’? Probably, you have something simple in mind that I have understood quite. P.S. Did you spot the link to Stephanie’s new website, linking our experience to writing for children?
Ian Rowcliffe
May 8, 2015 at 12:49 am
Have: haven’t
Ian Rowcliffe
May 8, 2015 at 12:51 am
I wasn’t thinking of adding anything. Just making a horizontal cut into the trunk, maybe a quarter to a third of the diameter, then 15-20 centimeters above that, cut in a 45° angle down to meet the back of the first cut. If you did that at varying levels encircling the trunk it would create an interesting visual. I would also leave branch stumps at varying places, long enough to perch a couple of birds at a time. Maybe hang a flowering plant from a branch stump.
I did make a brief visit to Stephanie’s website. I think it looks fantastic! I hope to get back and read more thoroughly, soon.
johnwhays
May 8, 2015 at 10:33 pm
I understand, John! We cleared a lot once to build a home…I couldn’t even be there the day the trees came down 😦
Hope you are well! 🙂
lorriebowden
May 7, 2015 at 7:52 am
I am well, thank you, Lorrie! I’m not sure the reward of planting new trees completely balances the sorrow over lost trees, but it always feels worth my effort. I learn a lot about being patient when it comes to growing trees.
johnwhays
May 7, 2015 at 7:59 am
I understand, John. 🙂
lorriebowden
May 7, 2015 at 8:08 am
Wow, those look awesome! I wish I could have them in my yard!
️Brooke
May 6, 2015 at 7:38 am
Just don’t go cutting off any trees without permission! You can always practice balancing rocks on the ground and make some cool looking formations, that is, if you have the rocks. 🙂
johnwhays
May 7, 2015 at 7:55 am