There is an oak that has stood beside our house for the last few years, leafless and dead. The thing about oaks is that even when they've given up the ghost, they're still strong and will continue to stand. Until they don't. Unlike poplars that will fall at the slightest provocation, even when healthy. We've been playing roulette with this tree, banking on its ability to stand, for a while now. The time came yesterday for us to take it down.
This tree was encrusted with lichens and mushrooms and having it down on the ground gave me a chance to take a closer look at them. I find them endlessly fascinating and inspiring and took gobs of photos. (click on them to get a little closer look)
Aren't they fantastic? I feel very inspired by their shapes and colors.
Despite all of the fungal growth the heartwood was still in pretty good shape so I've pulled a pile aside that is headed to my own wood pile to become brooches and necklaces and buttons. My youngest was filling her pockets with lichen-covered twigs (her "special" sticks) and they will no doubt decorate our countertops and windowsills. The rest will be cut for firewood and will keep us warm in winters to come.
The toy truck that bore the brunt of the falling branches will be slightly less useful.
Happy Sunday everyone.
