Thursday, October 8, 2020

The Majestic Live Oak Tree

 
When we first moved into this house in Florida, the real estate agent told us that the Live Oak Tree on the other side of the golf course was the largest in this community. It was beautiful. The azaleas that ringed it were in full bloom.

And it was in the view out my kitchen window.

Another year with the azaleas in bloom.


But over the years, it started dying out. I don't know why. It was very old. But of course no one wants to lose such a thing of beauty. 


But it was time. And yesterday we watched it being taken down. I ran in and out the back door taking photos. So I'll just show them in the order I took them and share it with you.






Changes aren't easy, are they. 


And even though it made me sad at the time, my husband and I both looked out and realized it was still a beautiful view. So life goes on.


I had the camera 'at the ready' when we spotted this Giant Katydid on the front screen of our garage door. It was over 4 inches long and looked a little like a big green leaf!


They are neat, aren't they? A website with some good info is HERE. And hubby was able to release it...no harm done.


Have you had a good week? I'm thankful for resilience. 

2020 What a year this has been!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!


42 comments:

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

It is sad when a beautiful tree has to be removed. Good view now.

Tom said...

...yep, live things die!

Arlene G said...

I agree, so sad to see it go but those old trees can be dangerous is a limb falls on someone. I see the need to remove it but it still makes me sad. You do still have a lovely view thanks to the other trees.

Vee said...

Oh my! That tree was a beautiful one. I hope they were careful with the azaleas. Change comes every day that is for certain. Katydid does look like a leaf. Very good camouflage.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

So very sad to see that beautiful tree taken down. I love live oak trees with Spanish moss dripping on them.

MadSnapper said...

it is a sad thing to see when something that old and beautiful starts to die, on the street behind us, this has happened to two old trees, and they both had to come down. i think maybe the climate change that THEY say is not happening, is the cause. they have been there my whole life, and suddenly those dead limbs appeared. we dread that happening to our oak in the front yard...

Susie said...

Diane, That is a shame to lose that beautiful oak tree. Why didn't someone treat it or try to save it. Or did they? The large piece in the picture did not look diseased. Sad. Hope you are doing well. Blessings, xoxo, love Susie

The Feminine Energy said...

Yep, I would have cried for sure... but boy oh boy, that tree needed to come down as the dead limb in your picture attests. Everything on earth lives until it is time to live no more. We had a crabapple tree taken down earlier this year and it was time. We probably left it far longer than we should have but as long as the little thing was even producing a little fruit, I left her alone. I wouldn't allow the cuttings to be hauled away... I stacked her, in small pieces, at the edge of the woods. I figured she started her life on our property and she was going to remain here. I know you couldn't have done that but I think I would have taken a piece of your tree and used it for something out in the yard. But I'm a hopeless empath and we don't deal with good-byes very easily. *haha* Love~ Andrea xoxo

Happy@Home said...

They are such beautiful trees and so "southern" particularly with the Spanish Moss hanging from them. It would be hard to watch it disappear. Good that you have it all documented. The katydid is so interesting. I find it fascinating how the creatures in nature camouflage so well with their surroundings.

Sandy said...

It is always sad to see a tree go especially a live oak. She did look really big so she had some age on her for sure. Now, knowing me I would have gone out to get a piece of her:)

Crafty in the Med said...

The King of the Woods!! In Celtic myth the Oak is the King of the Woods and the Queen is the Holly. Such a shame to see such a majestic tree cut down. Can you imagine what this old King could tell you.....if he could but talk!! keep well Amanda x

Inger said...

I am so sad about the tree. It was beautiful and I have a love and respect also for old trees. You are right, the view is still lovely. Being thankful for our resilience resonates with me. I will think on that this Thursday.

Barbara said...

You're thankful for resilience -- what a good thought, for both the removal of that gorgeous tree and for all the other things that have hit us this year in such unexpected ways.

Jean said...

Such a pretty tree! And so different from the oak trees around here. Sorry to see it go but better to be safe and not have limbs falling. Your view is still quite beautiful. Happy Thursday!

Home Sewn By Us said...

Good morning! Oh, it is sad to see such a huge tree having to be taken down. Thankfully, you've preserved its memory in photos. Soon though you won't even remember it was there or miss it. ~smile~ Roseanne

Edna B said...

Watching that beautiful old tree being cut down would have brought tears to my eyes and my heart. So sad! I suppose though, we all have a cycle. Enjoy your day, hugs, Edna B.

Aunt Helen said...

Diane, You have captured the life of that beautiful Live Oak. You have enjoyed it all these years, and now you have the photos to remember how lovely it was. "To everything there is a season under Heaven"! Love, Aunt Helen

Carla from The River said...

WOW, what a tree. And if it could talk, I would love to sit and hear all that has seen and survived.
xx oo
Thank you for capturing the life of this tree with us. I like what Aunt Helen said, " to everything there is a season under Heaven."

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Oh, I am sorry about that beautiful tree! Being from the west, I had never seen Live Oaks until we visited S. Carolina a few years ago. They are such amazing and interesting trees!

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

What a beautiful tree and too bad it had to be removed. The view is still nice though. Hope you have a nice end of the week and weekend Diane.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I'm so sorry you have lost such a beautiful and majestic tree!! hoping you have a wonderful weekend!

happyone said...

What a massive tree. Sad that it died and had to be taken down. All things have a life span.

Lowcarb team member said...

It is always sad to see old trees go, but they can be dangerous.
You do still have a lovely view though.

All the best Jan

PaintedThread said...

What a sad thing to see that tree go. But you have some lovely photos to remember it by. Impressive work by the tree guys, too.

LA Paylor said...

sad the death of an oak. I hope they planted another that will be big in 300 years or so but ya gotta start somewhere. The katydid is cool

Marcia said...

How very sad to lose such a large tree. I wonder if the housing development had an impact on its root system.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, my heart was breaking watching them take down that beautiful old tree, but you are right, the view is still lovely, and it was time for it to go. It's hard for us to let go of beautiful things and watch them die...but it happens for each of us sooner or later. Life goes on around us, but when we are finished with our purpose here we must move on to the next "life" in eternity. There will be others that come and take our place...and it will still be a beautiful view...

Terri D said...

It is so sad to see an old tree taken down but it sure seemed like the thing to do with that tree. So sorry but your view is still quite nice!!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Wow that is/was a gorgeous tree. I have a love affair with 2 trees. The huge oak near my house, and the shag bark hickory tree in the back field. Whenever there is a severe storm I check on them. I know someday they will come down, and I will mourn their losses. I think I had a couple of Katydid's in my pool recently. Made me sad.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

So sorry you lost that beautiful tree. I guess you'll just have to get used to a whole new view. It's still nice, just different. You'll get used to it!

Kathy said...

Such a pretty tree and so sad to see it go. Everything changes though. Great pictures of the katydid.

Jill Harrison said...

so sorry to see about the beautiful tree, but it looks like it had to go and the view is still lovely with the other trees. Take care and enjoy the rest of your week.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Thank certainly was a magnificent tree, but as you say life goes on and this year has given all of us a new perspective hasn't it?! Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Wren x

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Sad to see such a beautiful old tree go. I recently read somewhere that many old trees across the nation are being taken down. There are fewer and fewer trees being replanted. Decades ago towns used to plant trees along sidewalks in neighborhoods but as they come down they are not being replaced. And, there are fewer and fewer spots for trees to pop up naturally.

carol l mckenna said...

So sad to lose that awesome tree ~ but you do have a lovely view still and great shot of the katydid ~ Xox

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Jeanie said...

What a massive undertaking to bring such a magnificent tree down. I think I would have cried, I love trees so much, but sometimes that's just the way of it. That was certainly a beautiful one. And yes, you view is still lovely. But I'm sure you will miss it.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

The tree was beautiful, it is sad it had to come down.

I wonder if a new one will take it's place. Enjoy your day!

Jenn Jilks said...

Well, we all pass in time. It lasted a long time.

Red Rose Alley said...

What a beautiful old tree. Too bad it had to be cut down. I love old trees, and the stories they could tell us. The azaleas look so pretty surrounding the tree. Wow, that Katydid DOES look like a green leaf. Glad it was able to get away safely. ; )

~Sheri

Linda said...

How sad to lose that magnificent tree!

Teresa said...

Me apena que corten árboles... se veía tan precioso. Besos.

Lorrie said...

Your view has certainly changed. What a beautiful old tree; I wonder what stories it could tell! The katydid is such a pretty green colour.