There’s a huge ash tree in my backyard that probably dates back to the mid-60’s or maybe even since the house was built in ’61. We have only had it trimmed a couple of times since moving into our home in 1992 and unfortunately, it’s a bit of a beast right now. We should have done something sooner with it but we just couldn’t afford too so now we are reaping what we have sown. The cost to just bring it down about 10 feet and thin it out a bit is in the thousands L. And with the wet winter of last year, we had a bumper crop of new branches and a TON of leaves!
When the tree finally felt something that resembled fall, it began to drop leaves. And when that started happening we easily filled up our two large yard waste cans on a weekly basis in addition to smaller cans waiting for trash day. My husband told me that based on our leaves this year we would most likely have a bumper crop of “ash” fall. And boy was he right!
For a couple weeks now the ash has been falling. I have found this year that it really, really bothers me when I sweep it up but I try to do it as often as I can because for my husband, it is a guarantee for a major allergy attack. So sweep, rake, dump, repeat. Everyday. Every single day.
My husband had to go up on the roof a couple days ago to sweep off the mounds of ash up there – especially with a tiny hint of rain in the forecast, the last thing we can afford to do is let that get wet and settle. After at least an hour, he was finally done and upon coming down reported that it looks like the tree is 2/3 done with its yearly ash drop. My first thought was “ugh” and then my second thought was wondering how much more of this we could take with both of us now feeling the effects of that ash. And then I felt remorse in not biting the bullet and trimming the darn tree before now which led to thoughts of why on earth did anyone let that tree grow in the first place. I was frustrated.
It’s in the corner of the yard, not the middle. It yearly dumps its leaves and ash in not only our yard but also our neighbors. And guess what? Southern Cali residents who were not raised in more rural areas with yards without fences and big trees everywhere don’t take kindly to this sort of tree and its yearly dump. Thankfully, our next-door neighbor who gets the brunt of all this dropping along with us grew up with an ash tree and he is rather fond of it!
Which led to my concluding thoughts of appreciation for this old tree and all that it is.
A recent conversation with our neighbor who is fond of this tree remarked how great it is in the summer, when the canopy provides shade to the back of his house. He’s right, that’s why we have always loved it as it keeps our living room and backyard shaded in the major heat of the day too.
And there’s this thick branch that sticks out on one side that has what’s left of old, worn rope which at one time held a swing on it. The branch has long died but I won’t let anyone cut it down. The memories of all three of my children swinging on that swing and cousins who would come and hang from the ropes after the swing finally broke are stirred every time I look at it.
This old tree is also a favorite hangout spot for our local barn owl. We have one (or generations of the original pair) living in our neighborhood. They have nested in our palm tree for the past several years and our big old ash tree provides the perfect nighttime seating area to watch for critters. I’ve never been sad to clean up the mess under the tree knowing what an awesome hunter it is and I appreciate the vermin control. Plus, to look up at dusk if it decides to come sit before darkness and view this amazing looking bird looking down at you just takes your breath away.
The branches invite all kinds of birds to stop and rest – crows, sparrows, hawks, wild parrots and our hummingbirds seem to find some of the lower branches the perfect spot to sit and watch me hang up their nectar refill.
The trunk of this tree is so hefty that when my youngest needed to practice his archery more than at the range, it was able to hold without problem a very large practice target area that my husband fashioned from bales, a yellow jacket target bale, 2 x 4’s and rope. Many afternoons Jesse could be found out shooting and nailing some impressive bullseyes.
We’ve had many occasions to have parties that required the use of our backyard to accommodate the crowd. While neither our house nor yard are huge, the two together serves a party well. Our tree has provided additional shade during the day parties as well as conversation and wonder once nighttime falls and people listen to the owl in amazement.
With such a big canopy, it’s quite magical to watch it lightly sway on a spring or summer afternoon when a breeze hits it just right. It almost looks like it is dancing and I imagine it to be very happy and enjoying its old age in our backyard.
As I pondered my last thoughts on this big, old tree and the stories that it has been at the very heart of my frustration turned to joy. The thoughts lingered and left that warm and fuzzy feeling and a smile on my face. Who knew that this big, old ash tree could fill my day with so many stories to remember?