Over the past year several large branches of our seventy + year old pin oaks which were approximately 75 feet high spontaneously fell onto the walk leading to the monastery’s front door. Clearly it was no longer safe to keep the trees.
These pin oaks were planted in 1937, the year this monastery building was erected. Each of the current members of the community walked beside or under the oaks as she entered. Over the past week we have watched and heard the whirring blades and heavy thuds as those eight mighty oaks were taken down, branch by branch and trunk by trunk. Right now, only the stumps remain.
Eventually they will be grounded out and something new will be planted. In the meantime, we will see and appreciate the main entrance with its expanded openness.An aside: Never having seen such large trees cut down I was amazed and grateful to the team of men who did all the work. Their task was not easy, but their skills kept them and our front entry safe.
*Isaiah 6:13
Sr. Mary Catherine Wenstrup, OSB
I was there on Monday when they were taking them down. I felt sad but understand the dangers they can cause. I'm sure the replacements will be worthy for the entrance.
ReplyDeleteDear Sister, thank you for this interesting account -- trees are friends and when we lose them it is v. sad. How the world has changed since the time of Solomon. I was finding out about N. Africa -- in those early days -- there were extensive forests there on the coastal hills. I support tree planting wholeheartedly and I will sponsor your planting of new trees. I think of the Lebanon cedars and how long they take to grow and how few remain. God bless OSB!
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