It is gratifying to note that a number of folks have asked why there have been no “stories” recently. I could blame it on withdrawal, induced by the COVID-19 atmosphere in the country, but that’s not it – although, for some of us, that has stifled normal activities. Recently our grandson Lukas said a woman who saw his last name asked if he was related to that “old guy” who used to write stuff but may have demised. Now that’s a wake-up call! Be assured I am alive, well, and still thinking, although that’s debatable
A story on my mind for some time is another “tree” story. This one is on the west side of Gillette Road, just north of Ogden Center Road. Locally folks refer to the area as “Woodchuck Hill,” no doubt for reasons they have observed. Consulting with family members who had formal education in forestry, we decided it is a Hard (sugar) Maple probably about 100 years old. The first picture shows it has minimal branches, primarily two, that extend parallel to the road. From those, there are smaller branches that extend upward, so I nicknamed it the Candelabra Tree. Picture two reveals why it has such a strange shape. It was severely trimmed to accommodate the power lines and communication cables that exist near it. I find it ironic that the tree, which was likely there long before the lines and cables came along, had to suffer such severe mutilation. On the plus side, the holes created by the trimming do provide a home for some of the furry creatures that inhabit the area.
Just west of the tree is the Pleasant Hill Cemetery which is shown on the 1924 County Plat maps. Ogden’s historical records reveal it was established in 1823. How many burials did the tree witness, and was it affected by the sounds of mourners as they laid their loved ones to rest? The cemetery is no longer active but is maintained by the Town of Ogden.
On a personal note, it is interesting how things that one was involved in come around occasionally. There is a water tower in the background of the first picture. That was part of a water district project designed by Larsen Engineers while I was employed there. I saw the tower on plans many months before it was built. As I recall, because of its visibility, it was preferred to have a more pleasing design than a tank on top of four latticework metal legs.
Lets hope the tree will survive for many more years and ultimately succumb to nature, not man.
