coffeemakesmehappy

This beautiful old oak tree in our neighbor's yard across the road has suddenly developed large cracks in it's base (possibly due to unusually strong winds we've had recently) and so it's been determined that the tree needs to come down. The local highway department is scheduled to remove it later today. :(

In these photos it's difficult to get a sense of how grand this tree is - and the poor thing has been butchered over the years due to it's proximity to the road - plus it's bareness during this season does not reveal it's full majesty. I can't imagine all the critters it has harbored and fed over the years (including our own kitties who enjoyed it as a playground for chasing squirrels and chipmunks), or weary travelers who lingered under it for shade (I like to dally there whenever walking by). All the sunrises and sunsets it enjoyed, while the scenery around it changed through the decades and centuries... Mr. Verheil, Naples' resident historian, told us this tree was planted to commemorate the War of 1812 - so it would be celebrating it's 200th birthday this year!