Thanks. I truly am in awe of the difference in height between the trees along the edge of the new highway and the lone pine, a remnant of the old-growth forest which had once stood there before the timber industry got hold of the land.
Oooh thank you for the book recommendation. I didn't know about this story. Now on my TBR list. It reminds me again of our close connections and entanglements to trees and history.
Wonderful storytelling in that you realized the story in this act of preserving this one tree, and imply the tragedy of cleared northern forests, in the "Making of America."
Appreciate your kind note! We're fortunate to live in a city which values the old trees in its parks. I love 'em when they are too big to get your arms around and hug.
A comment appears here on my Substack site as a permanent record of your remarks. A Note on Substack is like a status update in the social feed of those who have Substack accounts. At least, that is my understanding.
We used to tease my little brother by declaring some random tree was the biggest we'd ever seen. He'd shoot back with, "I've seen bigger!" Your story also reminds me of Two Harbor's Honking Tree which was vandalized in 2016. Thanks for the post.
You must watch: "Trees, and Other Entanglements" on HBO. Remarkable documentary on trees of all sorts. Tree stand and mark times passage in their growth, shape, survival.
I loved that documentary. Watched it last week. Fascinated by the George Weyerhaueser profile as a patron on bonsai and shy timber magnate. It was the woman who asked the questions about what is our relationship to land we feel rooted to, belong to, grew up on, that we didn't own? How does land, especially its trees claim us (even if we can't make claims on it)? Thanks for the recommendation to this great documentary! Great holiday viewing
Manslaughter/murder of a famous tree would make an interesting crime investigation. So glad photos & paintings (at least) keep it preserved. Your post is another important act of preservation!
I had a similar thought when I heard about the attacks on the Joshua Trees out west. True crime series investigating cases involving trees. How about a docuseries investigating environmental racism? Each episode a case study. And what if we gave voice to the trees which have been silent witnesses?
I am semi-obsessed with Christmas trees & love this post. Can you share more about how the tree was vandalized to the point of needing to be cut down? Were the culprits ever found?
I am sorry to say my research did not turn up much information about how it was vandalized or by whom. This remains an unsolved crime. I suspect there would be so much shame directed at the culprit in this community that whoever did it, kept it quiet. My aunt has an oil painting by her friend of The Lone Pine.
I love how you weave your memories to give perspective and context to Kakaygeesick's story.
Thanks, Deb. That lone pine tree left a big impression on me! I remain awed by the big woods.
I love that too. It inspires me, Jill 💕
I love the intersection of one new to the world and one formidable and old. This was a wonderful post
Thanks. I truly am in awe of the difference in height between the trees along the edge of the new highway and the lone pine, a remnant of the old-growth forest which had once stood there before the timber industry got hold of the land.
Fascinating. Makes me think of “Big Lonely Doug” (book by Harley Rustad) here on Vancouver Island.
Oooh thank you for the book recommendation. I didn't know about this story. Now on my TBR list. It reminds me again of our close connections and entanglements to trees and history.
Love this tribute to an amazing tree, Jill. It's the prefect time to honour the lives and impact of trees.
Also, thank you for the rec. It was a wonderful Christmas gift. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Jessica, and merry merry!
Wonderful storytelling in that you realized the story in this act of preserving this one tree, and imply the tragedy of cleared northern forests, in the "Making of America."
Appreciate your kind note! We're fortunate to live in a city which values the old trees in its parks. I love 'em when they are too big to get your arms around and hug.
I'm experimenting with this to figure out how a note is different than comment.
A comment appears here on my Substack site as a permanent record of your remarks. A Note on Substack is like a status update in the social feed of those who have Substack accounts. At least, that is my understanding.
Hi Jill,
We used to tease my little brother by declaring some random tree was the biggest we'd ever seen. He'd shoot back with, "I've seen bigger!" Your story also reminds me of Two Harbor's Honking Tree which was vandalized in 2016. Thanks for the post.
I hadn't heard the story of Two Harbor's Honking Tree, but enjoyed going down that rabbit hole. Interesting how communities build relationships with and around trees. https://www.dglobe.com/news/details-emerge-in-the-cutting-down-of-famed-honking-tree
You must watch: "Trees, and Other Entanglements" on HBO. Remarkable documentary on trees of all sorts. Tree stand and mark times passage in their growth, shape, survival.
I loved that documentary. Watched it last week. Fascinated by the George Weyerhaueser profile as a patron on bonsai and shy timber magnate. It was the woman who asked the questions about what is our relationship to land we feel rooted to, belong to, grew up on, that we didn't own? How does land, especially its trees claim us (even if we can't make claims on it)? Thanks for the recommendation to this great documentary! Great holiday viewing
Manslaughter/murder of a famous tree would make an interesting crime investigation. So glad photos & paintings (at least) keep it preserved. Your post is another important act of preservation!
I had a similar thought when I heard about the attacks on the Joshua Trees out west. True crime series investigating cases involving trees. How about a docuseries investigating environmental racism? Each episode a case study. And what if we gave voice to the trees which have been silent witnesses?
Ooohhhhhh, this idea is gold! (Green?)
I am semi-obsessed with Christmas trees & love this post. Can you share more about how the tree was vandalized to the point of needing to be cut down? Were the culprits ever found?
I am sorry to say my research did not turn up much information about how it was vandalized or by whom. This remains an unsolved crime. I suspect there would be so much shame directed at the culprit in this community that whoever did it, kept it quiet. My aunt has an oil painting by her friend of The Lone Pine.