© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
(five photos) This is the tree that inspired my post for Ese’s Challenge empty.
https://irenewaters19.com/2014/02/16/eses-weekly-shoot-and-quote-challenge-empty/
We walk our dog past this tree twice a day. There is a picnic table which was always occupied as the tree stood, its wide branches offering the much-needed protection from the tropical sun.
I’d heard what I had thought was an explosion the night before we walked to discover the tree had collapsed into the river, the termites and borers having successfully eaten their way through its woody interior until it no longer had the strength to stand.
At first it was bulky. All its leaves and twigs were intact. Slowly over the weeks it has lost those leaves, the current has taken all the small branches and it lies submerged creating a new place for the fish to breed in the stillness of the billabong it has created. The number of fry is immense.
As is the emptiness it has left behind. Not only from losing the tree but also the picnic table sits unoccupied as now it is too hot as the summer sun beats down.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
So sad when a big tree dies … well, in this case, it had died long since … so I suppose I mean when we see it’s dead.
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Only about a month ago and yes very sad. I guess we just have to be grateful it happened at night and not during the day when there would have been numerous peole sitting under it and most likely dogs and possibly children playing in the water where it fell.
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!!!!!!!!! – we just had a schoolkid killed by a huge falling tree-branch, last week. Horrible. All manner of blame-allocation going on.
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Yes I read about that. Her teacher and a couple of other kids were injured as well. Soo heartbreaking. Where we were in the country the farmers used to call certain trees “widow makers”. “You’l have to get rid of them widow makers” they’d say. We always did what we were told. [joke]
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Irene, this is a good post, thanks. We in the Healing Garden challenge you to plant a tree. Do you want help making a choice? Would you like contributions for a new tree? — THGg
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Now that’s a good idea THGg. It would have to be a shade tree. If you have suggestions I’ll consider them but may be bound by the local council in what can be planted as it is in their park. I’m sure though they would be quite receptive to me planting though so will check it out. Cheers
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In many municipalities, there is an approved list of “acceptable” trees. In some municipalities, there is a public works nursery. If you inform them (nicely) that your dear community is missing a treasured landmark, the public works crew may come out and plant a new one. Or offer you and your neighbors an informed choice for your picnicking enjoyment! We happilyanticipate before and after snaps. — THGg
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Shall do that THGg. Thanks for planting the seed. Cheers Irene
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Oh, poor tree…lovely photos.
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Thanks Sherri. Amazing the emptiness it left.
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