I happened upon a giant. It was dead.
The old cottonwood spread across the trail, its rotten trunk severed from its roots by a strong storm. Its branches reached out to the side, as if embracing the earth upon which it lay. The tree probably died years ago, but up until recently had been able to remain upright and show off its impressive size. The thick bark had peeled off little by little, revealing circuitous channels fashioned by wood-boring insects, which might well have contributed to its demise.
Its colorful leaves once reflected the various seasons—they shone with a bright green in the spring and with a richer emerald in the summer, before turning a brilliant gold in the fall, only to be followed by a dreary brown. The wind used to play melodious tunes on them, in a key that varied with the season, until the foliage fluttered to the forest floor.
Woodpeckers hammered at its wood, fashioning nurseries for their offspring, and fellow avians perched on the tree, loudly proclaiming their presence. Squirrels raced up and down its length, in hot pursuit of one another.
The cottonwood witnessed many a sunrise and sunset, mild and inclement conditions, oppressive heat and frigid cold. It weathered many years, yet its fate was determined by forces beyond its control. Drawing its life from the soil, the water, the sun, providing refuge and shade to other creatures, it fell to its knees when it no longer had the strength to stand.
Beautiful, majestic, life-giving tree. I can only hope to harbor some of your traits during my appointed time.
Ich stieß auf einen Riesen. Er war tot.
Die alte Pappel lag ausgestreckt auf dem Pfad, ihr morscher Stamm durch starke Stürme von den Wurzeln abgetrennt. Die Äste erstreckten sich zur Seite, so als umarmten sie die Erde, auf der sie lagen. Der Baum starb wahrscheinlich schon vor Jahren, aber bis vor kurzem hatte er sich aufrecht halten, und mit seiner Größe imponieren können. Die dicke Rinde hatte sich nach und nach abgelöst, und legte gewundene, von holzbohrenden Insekten geschaffene Rinnen frei, die sehr wahrscheinlich zu seinem Verfall beigetragen hatten.
Bunte Blätter spiegelten einst die verschiedenen Jahreszeiten wider. Sie waren hellgrün im Frühling, dunkelgrün im Sommer, leuchteten gold im Herbst, nur um von einem tristen Braun ersetzt zu werden. Der Wind spielte einst wohlklingende Melodien auf ihnen, in einer Tonart, die je nach Jahreszeit variierte, bis das Laub auf den Waldboden flatterte.
Spechte hämmerten ehemals an dem Holz und schufen Kinderzimmer für ihren Nachwuchs, während weitere Vögel im Baum saßen und lauthals ihre Präsenz verkündeten. Eichhörnchen rannten den Stamm hoch und runter und veranstalteten heiße Verfolgungsjagden.
Die Pappel erlebte Sonnenauf- und Sonnenuntergänge, mildes und raues Wetter, brütende Hitze und Eiseskälte. Sie überlebte lange Jahre, doch war ihr Schicksal von Kräften außerhalb ihrer Kontrolle bestimmt. Sie hatte ihre Lebenskraft von der Erde, dem Wasser und der Sonne geschöpft, und anderen Kreaturen Unterschlupf gewährt. Als sie keine Kraft mehr zum Stehen hatte, ging sie in die Knie.
Wunderbarer, majestätischer, lebensspendender Baum. Ich hoffe, zu meinen Lebenszeiten einige Deiner Eigenschaften verwirklichen zu können.
Sehr schön beschrieben. Der Baum hat jetzt andere Aufgaben. Die Natur hat vorgesehen, dass er jetzt Grundlage zum Überleben für andere Tiere und Pflanzen wird.
LG Jürgen
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Dankeschön, lieber Jürgen. Ja, der Kreislauf muß unterhalten werden, und es war seine Zeit.
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Das ist der Gang aller Dinge.
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A beautifully written, poignant post. A reminder of our own mortality, and perhaps also a metaphor speaking to the folly of getting too hung up about our own importance and significance: none of us is so big and so grand that we will not, one day, come crashing to the ground. Politicians on my side of “the pond”, and yours, please note!
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Thank you, Mr. P. In so many ways, trees do much more good than any of us ever will.
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Beautiful post with the reminder shared. Wish all understand things with great priority and take self initiative.
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Thank you.
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liebe tanja, das hast du ganz wunderbar und lebendig beschrieben.
danke schön. ja, es scheint unvorstellbar, dass ein so (nach außen)
vor kraft strotzender baum irgendwann den halt und die kraft
verliert und, wie du es beschreibst, in die knie geht. das ist zwar
irgendwie der lauf der dinge, doch auch immer, wie ich finde,
etwas traurig. der schöne baum. du hast ihm hier ein denkmal
gesetzt sozusagen. hab einen starken tag. liebe grüße aus berlin
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Ich danke Dir herzlich für Deinen einfühlsamen und visuell anspruchsvollen Kommentar. Mögen neue Bäume die Rolle dieses verstorbenen übernehmen.
Herzliche Grüße zurück nach Berlin,
Tanja
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danke schön.
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Zu deinem Beitrag fällt mir ein sehr altes Lied aus dem Jahr 1968 ein , das genau deine Geschichte erzählt. Das Stück hieß ” Mein Freund der Baum.”
LG Werner.
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Mir fiel das Lied auch gleich ein. Es ist von “Alexandra” und auch schön und traurig zugleich.
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Das Lied kenne ich, auch wenn ich es schon seit ewigen Zeiten nicht mehr gehört habe, und daher kommt auch mein Titel. Ich kann mich eigentlich nur an die ersten Zeilen erinnern, und daran, daß ich das Lied immer melancholisch fand.
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Danke, lieber Werner. Das Lied kenne ich auch noch aus meiner Kindheit, und den Titel habe ich aus dem Deutschen übersetzt. Ich sollte es mir mal wieder anhören, das gibt es bestimmt im Internet.
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That’s a very moving lament.
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I appreciate the comment, Brian. Thank you!
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Love this. I feel the same way when I walk among the giants. We can learn a lot from trees. When the wind blows I often marvel how they become so flexible and dance with the wind instead of fighting with it. When they aren’t getting enough sunlight they don’t continue on their supposed path and blame the surrounding trees. Instead the smart ones find new ways to receive sunshine – they bend and continue to grow 😊
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Thank you, Dwight. You are absolutely right, we can learn many lessons from trees. They are remarkable in countless ways. 🌳
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Liebe Tanja, das ist schön und traurig zugleich! Liebe Grüße, Ulrike
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Dankeschön, liebe Ulrike.
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Ein sehr einfühlsamer Nachruf auf diesen Riesen. Hoffentlich darf er liegenbleiben und somit wieder in den Kreislauf der Natur zurückkehren.
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Dankeschön, liebe Christa. In diesem Fall glaube ich, daß der Baum seinen Kreislauf weiterführen darf.
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Oh, my! What a lovely post. You caught it all, the cycle of life and death and how much a tree gives.
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Your comment makes me very glad, Laurie. Thank you! 🌳
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Immer wieder maßlos traurig, einen toten Baum zu sehen 😥
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So ergeht es mir auch, liebe Brigitte. Wir alle sollten eigentlich viel mehr Bäume pflanzen. 🌳
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Hi. I know what you mean. Trees are magnificent beings. It’s good to be around them.
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You are so right, Neil. I think we need to remind ourselves that without trees, there is no life on this earth. 🌳
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A lovely tribute to the life of a tree ❤
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Thank you, Donna. What would we do without trees?!
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I so agree. I love trees, they have such character. I cannot wait to see the Colorado Aspens in the fall and hug a Redwood in California some day, both on the bucket list!
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I hope both will be memorable!
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A person I once was acquainted with knew a good bit about trees, but never had been in a relationship with a particular tree; she felt that having the facts at hand were enough. She never would — or perhaps could — have appreciated your post, or your ability to imagine the life of this wonderful bit of nature. It’s true that we all have our appointed span on this earth, but that doesn’t mean that memorializing the fallen isn’t important — no matter the species.
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I guess each of us experiences life on earth differently, and who is to say which way is better. But I can’t help but relate to the lives and fates of some plants and animals that surround me. It makes my life more meaningful.
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This is a wonderful bit of writing and a fine memorial to a once magnificent tree, Tanja. I’ve had a few trees over the years that I would sit with when I could. Some trees have long lives and even longer afterlives, providing various support for other living creatures as they return to the Earth. We should all relate to Nature as you did with your tree. Despite my love of trees I sadly admit…I’ve never hugged one. 🙂
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I appreciate your kind comment, Steve, and I love your description of the tree becoming part of the circle of life.
It’s never too late to embrace one. The earth has never needed more tree huggers. 🙂
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Bei deinem schönen Text über den Baum dachte ich auch gleich an das Lied “Mein Freund der Baum” gesungen von Alexandra und dank Internet hab ich mir das Lied gleich nochmal angehört. Danke für die schönen Worte über einen gigantischen Baum
LG Andrea
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Das erging wohl einigen Lesern ähnlich, liebe Andrea. Ich muß mir das Lied jetzt auch mal anhören, kann mich nur an die ersten Zeilen erinnern, und daran, daß mich der Text und die Melodie traurig machten.
Vielen Dank und herzliche Grüße an Dich.
Tanja
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This is a great tribute to a fallen titan. Thanks for sharing it.
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I’m glad you feel that way. Thank you for stopping by and for commenting.
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Tanja, that’s a beautiful tribute to the magnificent beauty of Mother Nature.
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I appreciate the comment, Dee, thank you very much. 🌳
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this photo is very sad.
Hi Tanja, have a nice Sunday
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Sad, yes, but it will be recycled into new life.
I wish you a good week. Greetings from snowy Colorado.
Tanja ❄❄❄
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magic Colorado!! 🙂
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What a bitter-sweet post. Your words paint such a lovely picture, Tanja.
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I’m glad you think so, Jolandi. Thank you much.
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What a lovely eulogy. I was deeply touched. This is my favorite among your many wonderful posts.
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And I was touched by your lovely comment, Andy. Thank you! 😊
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It’s sad for the tree, even sadder for the birds. You painted the perfect picture in this post.
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Thank you, Lisa. 🌳
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Ein schöner Beitrag, ein guter Vergleich. Ja, aufrecht stehen und gehen wie so ein imposanter Baum, das wäre schön 🙂
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Ganz bestimmt, liebe Almuth, und auch Lebensraum für andere Lebewesen zu schaffen, und den Boden zu stabilisieren, und Sauerstoff zu produzieren, und Schönheit zu verstrahlen, und, und und…
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I’m reading this post about a fallen cottonwood a few hours after I heard about an even bigger tree that fell:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/falling-giant-redwood-tree-kills-hiker-california-christmas-eve-n1107511
Who knows what will befall us, figuratively and literally?
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That is very sad and tragic, Steve. One wonders about the unfortunate timing of some events, making your final question even more poignant. Which leads me to the conclusion that we should follow the advice, “Live every day as if it were your last.”
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😥🍂 Let’s hope that Mother Earth has a reviving secret. Best wishes Tanja this New Year! (we may have sent these wishes more than one). Cheers!
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Mother Nature is resilient and resourceful–to a point. We need to do whatever is humanly possible to enable it to rebound from our numerous destructive interventions.
I return your good wishes for the new year.
Best,
Tanja
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Wow! Beautiful post…I missed it earlier. I love to consider the lifespan of the beautiful large oaks around here. As a teacher, my most favorite tree book was Cactus Hotel. A story much like your post, and a great book for kids and adults alike.
Stay well!
Julie
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Thank you, Julie. I love all trees, but besides our aspen, cottonwoods are my favorites. I am so thankful for all they are.
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https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805029604
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Thank you for the link, Julie. A lovely story which I hope to check out from the library once it reopens.
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