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Contents copyright 2024 by Valerie Harms

Beloved trees

Soldier down!
They cry.
Help needed here.

Well, I had to watch two magnificent trees cut down branch by branch. And then those trunks that had taken years to grow were sawed into big chunks and carted away. Now nothing is left but the view of blah-siding to coops. The cutting down was heartless murder.

These trees were beautiful in all seasons. In winter when the branches were bare, they were perches for blackbirds and magpies. In spring leaves sprouted and when it was in full summer bloom, they were home to dozens of birds. I wonder how many nests were tucked among its leaves. They were full of birds. In fall the foliage turned brilliant yellow. They were a sight for sore, tired souls.

But not only were they there for human and avian appreciation, these trees nourished the air and soil. They filtered toxins out of the air, trapping them in their leaves and bark. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They cooled the air and filtered rainwater in their bark. Their roots fed lichens and created habitats for microorganisms and fungi, essential to life. Without them there is more dead space. Countless living beings lost their lives with the felling of the trees.

It was a disaster and no one put a stop to this execution. I mourned them. I still do. Trees are as valuable as people, some even more so. In living they are purposeful. They give while many people I know are just takers.
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