A lot of people ask what we do in the winter. Among other things, we do tree removal. Many of the spruce trees in our cemeteries are dying. After speaking with an arborist, it was decided that removing the sick trees was the best defense against whatever is affecting the healthy trees.
This spruce was planted in the northern section of Central Cemetery as a soldier’s memorial. The following photographs show its removal.
Looking from the South
Utilizing skills we learned at a Chainsaw Safety / Directional Tree Felling class put on by Baystate Roads and instructor Tim Ard; we were able to confidently drop this tree between two headstones without the use of ropes or large equipment.
When the ground thaws and time allows we will remove the stump. We left the stump high so as to have something to push against during it’s removal. Being that this area was designated a soldier’s memorial I would like to plant something else on this mound. Perhaps a small evergreen or flowering tree. Suggestions are welcome.
Might I suggest a Sycamore? According to the Book of Dead, twin sycamores stood at the eastern gate of heaven from which the sun god Re emerged each morning. Sycamores were often planted near tombs and promised to return the dead person to the womb of the mother tree goddess.
Wow thanks Rebecca. A sycamore would be nice. What you maybe cannot see in the pictures is a large yellow poplar that was crowding out the spruce (probably what caused the spruce’s demise). I would probably need to remove the poplar to make room for a sycamore. Some head scratching will be required.