My son and I spent today up at the property we hunt, mending a few fences for my friend/owner who can’t get around so good anymore. After fixing a few bad spots in the wire, we were driving around checking on my ladder stands I was too lazy to take down, when something caught my eye.
I have played on this property since I was 10 years of age. As a young kid, we stomped through the woods, rode horses, and all the usual kid stuff. We climbed to the top of this one particularly large Maple tree at the center of the property. It sits on top on a hill, and sitting in its limbs affords a great view of the place. It sits in a great place, and each fall, as the colors of the leaves turn, its blaze orange leaves signal that its time to hunt. Every season, I spend at least a day or two in the shadow of its branches, or in view of its awesome fall colors. Asa kid, I’ve camped under it. this old Maple tree, its the epicenter of a piece of ground I’ve found recreation on most of my life.
Today, as we drove around, that old tree, with its trunk pushing 5 feet in diameter, caught my eye. Something was different. I parked the truck, and walked to it. As I approached, my heart sank. Half of that majestic old maple layed on the ground. The trunk is divided into 3 massive sections about 10 ft up. At that point, one section was snapped off, and crashed to the ground. It was within the last few days, as the leaves were still green.Obviously a victom of the many recent thunderstorms, and trunk rot. At the point it gave way, there is a hole going down into the trunk, a sure sign that while much of it still stands watch over the property, the end is near.
Next time I go up there, I am going to cut a few sections of the fallen limbs. My hope is to someday make a bow from its remains.
Interestingly, where the limb snapped off, it created a flat spot perfect to stand on, and watch the deer trails that run beneath it.
I’ll be in that old tree opening Bow Season.
Spending some time with a dying friend.
Great Post!
I got a great idea from a friend of mine. When I go back to the property, I will also cut a few good size lengths from The Ol’ Maple On The Hill, and make a bench from it.
Then, even after my favorite tree goes back to the Earth, I will have a bench, which means I can always sit in my tree.
Perhaps sit and shoot arrows from a bow, also made from its lumber.