This post is a little behind since Earth Day was 2 weeks ago … let’s just say I was sorting through things to be able to write this. Anyway, we knew that the town was thinking about building a walking path up our street and that our beautiful old maple which was right up next to the road would be in the way.

Our fears were confirmed when a tree cutting service pulled up with 2 DPW vehicles. When I heard chainsaws and I looked out the window I saw a man with a sleeveless shirt, a red gotee and a construction hat in my front yard making large gestures towards our beloved tree. I knew it was the beginning of the end. I frantically called Jason and asked what I should do. He said I should go outside and talk to them (novel idea if you didn’t look 12 and didn’t have a high non threatening voice). So after saying a prayer I bravely ventured outside. It turns out that they were just planning on trimming the limbs over the road. I was able to breathe a deep sigh of relief. I had gone back inside and had settled in for a nap when about 30 minutes later came a knock on the door. Turns out, according to the red gotee man, that the tree was rotten and had gotten the death sentence. I guess it was too great a risk to fall in the road. Its sad though, there is no respect for 200+ year old trees anymore. Towns tolerate them until they become “risks”. Then they get the ax (or chainsaw in this case). Our beautiful tree had probably been here before our town was even a town. (So i guess I am not totally over this) Anyway, they cut down our tree and ground down the stump. You can’t even tell there was a tree there.

At dinner that night Jason and I were pouting, and then a great irony came to mind. I said, “you know I think today is Earth Day.” Jason broke out in laughter. Happy worst Earth Day ever.