And Another One Bites the Dust!

    The big Box Elder in the back yard finally finished falling over.  It was a big beautiful tree when we moved here in 1962, shading the back lawn very nicely.  Several years ago the top of the tree broke and fell over...but was still connected to the main trunk...forming a natural arch that continued to leaf out every year for quite a few years.  Slowly the tree died and this year it did not form any leaves at all.  During lunch today I heard wood cracking and then a soft thud.  The dogs got excited and started to run around barking and carrying on.  Jeff went outside to see if he could find the tree that fell and soon came back in.  It had been the box elder.  After lunch I went out and took photos of what was left.  The snowmobilers and 4-wheelers will miss driving thru the arch...eventho there was a "POSTED" sign on the tree.  At least now we don't have to worry about the arch falling on some kid who got their machine stuck there!  Here's what's left of the box elder:   You can see that the trunk had very little bark left on  

it and where the top had been connected was totally rotten now and just snapped off today.  All the rain we've been getting every night probably helped it along.  While walking over to this tree I noticed that the stump of a cedar tree that is about 4' high (we use to put a bird feeder on it) is very fragile.  It moved very easily when I pushed against it.  I think I better tell Jeff so he can pull it out with the Cub Cadet.  Boy, will the back yard be easier to mow without it!