Saying Goodbye and Giving Thanks
The Sycamore Tree
On Sunday, July 5th, Newtown Friends held a ceremony to bid farewell to a beloved sycamore tree that has welcomed Friends to their meetinghouse for the last 100 years.
The meeting’s Building & Grounds Committee recently received a report from an arborist who evaluated the tree and wrote:
The decay at the first cavity is approximately 95% of the 24” diameter with 2” of live tissue. The second cavity is 18” diameter with 3 to 4” of live tissue for 80% of decay. The decay in the two cavities is connected. The average mean of failure with trees is 67% of decay. This amount of decay could cause the tree to fail at any time.
And with the possibility of damaging thunderstorms accompanied by high winds in the forecast, the decision was made to have the tree removed right after the holiday weekend. But not before 50 Friends gathered to say goodbye.
Meeting member Kati Sowiak provided flower petals in a basket for people to give as a gift, and clerk Barbara Simmons brought seeds and cornmeal that were also gifted to the tree. As part of the ceremony Barbara remarked:
Barbara Simmons & Carol Richardson
Trees are kin, elders, teachers. This beautiful sycamore has provided shelter for the birds, squirrels and owls. It has provided us beauty, shade, and a sense of belonging when we walk onto the Meetinghouse property. The tree has withstood storms, winds, snow and ice – for the last 80-100 years. When this tree comes down, the root system under the ground will feel the loss as well. We are all connected to one another, as are the trees on this beautiful land with their root systems communicating with one another.
She concluded with: “Beloved sycamore, thank you for shade and shelter. We release you with love.”
Then all in attendance offered seeds, cornmeal, and flower petals at the roots.
Friends gathered to say goodbye