The Maple has been felled

A Sweet Understanding seemed to pass through me as I placed my hand in the heartwood of the Sugar Maple. It is difficult to explain what this tree has meant to us. It was here long before we moved here and saw all of the children grow and enjoyed many a cat and children climbing its limbs. I cannot even express my feelings unless it is to another tree hugger how sad it was to see this tree in its decline. Just as you look at the pictures try to imagine…the once splendid glory that was there, but still a wonderful memory.

Our Friend came down yesterday. I was there for it all. It was a sad passing for this once vital Maple Tree that graced our home since about the early 1920’s Maples generally grow in height from 15 to 100 feet. The Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) grows to 100 feet in height and has a 300-year life span. Sugar Maple prefers calcium-rich soil in the upland woods of the eastern deciduous forest. It can survive years of suppressed growth in dense shade before reaching the sunlight and tree canopy above. The leaves are 4-6 inches long, opposite and have three to five lobes. In spring, there are inconspicuous light yellow flowers that are pollinated by bees and other insects before the leaves emerge. In fall, the sugar maple turns a stunning orangey red or yellow. This tree was considered sacred to the Iroquois Nation and a gift from the creator. Every year an annual thanksgiving celebration occurred with the rising of the sap, honoring another year’s survival. It is from the rising sap that maple syrup is made.