ENTS,

This is a poem written by one of my clients the weekend before I cut it
down. He gave me permission to share it with you. The tree was highly
decayed and threatened to crush their old farm house. I took photos before
and after the takedown. Ring count was 68 years and lasered height 82'.

Will Blozan

Thanks to a Poplar Tree

Through rain, wind, snow, drought and heat

For over six decades you have put down your roots

To draw nutrients and moisture from the soil around you.

In return you have provided

Nesting branches and a playground for squirrels:

A food supply for woodpeckers and other feathered friends;

A limb to hang a bird feeder upon;

Blossoms each spring filled with nectar and pollen for honeybees;

Dry leaves in fall for compost for the garden;

Twigs for starting fires in stoves and fireplaces;

An anchor spot for a hammock;

An ear to hear children romp and play;

Adults rant and pray;

Space for wildlife to roam under, over and through your branches;

Abundant shade for the farm house and its inhabitants; and

A host for disease to eat at your core.

And now the arborist art

Clips your wings and puts the blade to your trunk.

As you fall to the earth, you continue giving.

Your small limbs go through a shredder to

Make mulch for the fruit trees and berries; and

Your stronger limbs and trunk are cut into firewood to

Provide warmth in the Swan Mountain houses.

Some smaller limbs will host Oyster mushrooms.

We give thanks for your stately role as

A steady sentinel on this farm,

For your gifts to the plants, animals, and

Human community around you, and

For your stately beauty consistently

Offering your gifts, inner and outer.

We shall miss you, knowing you have been

Our friend and helper, and that your

Wise guidance will be an inspiration to

The small poplar tree now growing neath

Your wide arms of giving.

We are reminded on a Bible verse in I Peter 4:10 which says:

"Whatever gifts you may have received,

Use them in service to one another,

Like good stewards dispensing

The grace of God

In its varied forms."

You have used your gifts to serve and help us

Learn from your example.  

 Swan Mountain Farm, Spring 2009