Loss of old trees with great stories is sad

For some time as I drove down Division Avenue, I had admired a grand old willow tree.  It was huge and had a beautiful gnarled trunk. About five years ago I decided I would stop in and ask the owner permission to take pictures of it.

When I knocked on the door, an elderly lady came outside to talk to me about the tree. She told me the following story and I’m writing it for others to enjoy.

When her son was a boy, he would walk to his grandmother’s home for cookies. One day about 60 years ago he was ready to walk back to his house when he told his grandmother cut him a willow stick that he “rode” home. The stick became the beautiful tree I was about to photograph.

The elderly lady is gone now, and recently the willow tree was cut down. There are times when it’s necessary to take down a magnificent tree. I hope there was a good reason for this one to leave — especially when it had a good story to tell.

JUDY PEDERSON

Sandpoint