From Bend to Break

This winter we had an ice storm that caused our not so established trees to bend to the ground with the weight of the ice. Along with our newly planted pines, my very favorite river birch tree had me deeply concerned. The ice kept forming and the trees kept bending. We discussed how the trees, and we as people, must be strong enough to bend. 

Fortunately, the temperatures warmed and the ice melted. Slowly, but surely, our trees perked up and stood tall once again. The sun shone on it and the rain watered its roots. Green leaves grew, birds perched in the branches, nest were built and it was full of life once again. Reminding me how fragile, and yet how strong, they are despite the circumstances. 

What I didn't know was the bending and the ice had taken a toll on our river birch tree. There was a fracture in two of the three trunks. They were hidden, but they were there. And although it stood tall, grew green leaves, bird had made a home inside, and it still swayed in the wind, it was fractured. And sadly, sometimes those fractures break before they heal. 

Last week we had strong winds and once again the little river birch was put to the test. Bending and swaying in the wind until stronger winds pushed the fractured branches beyond their limit. The branches broke off and hung on, but just barely. But as they hung there they were dying. And they began to wither and the leaves dried up. Eventually, it was just two dead branches full of brittle, brown leaves hanging among the otherwise healthy and thriving tree. 

Rick cut them off and tossed them on the ground below where they continued to dry up and die. The rest of the tree, while a bit thinner and not as lush as it once was, still held on to and grew more green leaves. Where the dead was removed the branches scarred over. The dead limbs continued to dry up and get smaller as they lay on the ground. As much as I didn't want those leaves to be removed from our tree, they had to be. They wouldn't be able to grow back, only removed because after all the bending and mending there was a fracture that couldn't be repaired.  New branches will no doubt grow. Leaves will bud and nest will be rebuilt. But, those dead limbs had to be cut off and tossed away so the rest of the tree could heal. And grow. And flourish. And be healthy and strong. 

Our little tree is thriving again. It's shape has changed and outwardly as well as inwardly, it's different. But, it's healthy and green and reaching tall.