Sentinels' destruction did not need to happen

Sitting at the corner of Boyer and Larch, I count at least 83 growth rings on this immense tree stump. Climbing up onto it I still feel the heat rising, even days after being cut down. Smells like earth pie, and it makes my heart ache over the loss of these powerful willow trees that have graced our lives for almost a century.

When these trees were planted, people walked past on their way to work at the Humbird Mill, Kalispel people camped nearby to gather for their powwows at City Beach, the ferry still crossed the river at Seneacquoteen, and the Great Depression took hold of the country, the roots of these trees continued to spread and grow. The thin worn path between them still remains.

Now, cars whiz by, dogs bark, and people carry on with their busy lives, perhaps only noticing subconsciously a hole in our world, a sudden loss.

Living in town is a shared experience where we learn to live in harmony, appreciate and respect our neighbors, and the gifts that we were blessed with in owning a piece of that land, fertile enough to grow mighty trees that can persevere year after year through our harsh and glorious seasons.

After toughing it through this winter, these grand willow trees were certainly in need of trimming. The property owners instead chose to cut these solid sentinels to the ground. In their eyes, perhaps they would entice a buyer, or make some money. With more thought and insight, these beautiful healthy heritage trees, that cleared our air, shaded our light, and brought silent joy to all of us, would only continue to enhance this land.

I only hope that we will learn from this loss, look clearly at our future, love, honor, and care for our trees that truly belong to each and every one of us.

GAIL LYSTER

Sandpoint