Goodbye to a dear Friend
When I moved to my (nearly) century-old Craftsman in Midtown Sacramento one of its defining exterior features was a towering American Elm. This wonderful old tree was planted sometime after my home was built in 1908. But it is part of the past and Sacramento's "City of Trees" heritage. This aging tree provided much needed shade from Sacramento's sweltering summers and my home's south-facing exterior.
Almost immediately I noticed the tree seemed to be in distress. Because it's a city tree, I contacted the city arborist for a "check up" and to be sure I was doing the best by my senior-citizen Elm. The tree was checked and happily was Dutch Elm Disease-free. It needed some pruning, so I hired a city-recommended firm to provide a little coiffing of the tree canopy and dead limbs. The city's urban forest staff is woefully under-staffed, over-worked and under-funded and so the cost of this operation -- more than $500 -- was assumed by me. I loved our Elm and knew it was money well spent.
Each spring I watched with anticipation as our Elm came back to life. The leafy canopy was not as robust as I hoped, but it was there none-the-less. I would deep-water and fertilize, and on really hot summer days I would provide an afternoon shower to cool it's aging skin. And sometimes a little hug and thanks.
This spring, imagine my joy when the Elm leafed out in full glory. The canopy more beautiful then I had ever seen in my 10 years living here. Besides being a major source of shade, it provided shelter for countless birds and one year a family of baby squirrels who cheered me with their endless comic antics. Our resident hummingbirds often perched among the massive limbs. So I believed it would continue for the wildlife and me.
Quite suddenly, one major limb began to wilt. It had done this in the past; at first I wasn't overly concerned. But then another limb. And another. I quickly called our arborist!
Just this week, the sad news came...Dutch Elm Disease...and my majestic Elm will be gone in two weeks. I am losing a dear, old friend. I will feel every cut of the blade as this aged companion is removed. As soon as weather permits, I will honor its memory with a new tree. A hardier scarlet or red oak, which I hope will grow and fill the empty space.
Care for your trees, especially those encased in park-strip concrete. Deep water and fertilize on a regular basis. Not all trees are susceptible to DED, but they need TLC to stay healthy and strong. They are so important to the well-being of our environment and our souls.
And so, I offer this poem, written in 2003, to honor my Elm.
Elder Care
Another day of century heat
Scarcely diminishes with the setting sun.
In an offering of relief,
I bathe the withering and cracked skin
With the cold spray from my hose.
Soothing water runs down the long body
Filling every crevasse.
I am especially careful to soak each limb,
Each tiny finger.
The soul of my towering Elm sighs,
And, with grateful arms,
Bends to embrace me.
Barbara Steinberg
Sacramento
July 19, 2003