May 11
Not dead yet
As you may recall, the ice storm in northern Michigan last spring ravaged the trees at our Lake Huron cottage.
The white birches, whose delicate elegance comes at a price, got the worst of it (bottom photo). But no tree taller than 10 feet was left unscathed.
Birch limbs mingled with oak limbs on the ground. That proud white pine at the center of this photo lost three quarters of itself.
After one complete cycle of seasons - through summer, fall, winter and back to spring - the birches and oaks, though wounded, are showing signs of new life.
As for the white pine ... it's destined to remain an ugly duckling. Nonetheless, we reflexively ruled out the chainsaw. It's alive. It's standing tall. Who are we to argue with it ...?
