The Great Willow Tree Controversy





Ever since we came to our house in Chocorua in 1986, this willow tree has been growing on the front lawn.
It's provided shade and beauty for many events:




A summer dinner out of doors,




a cool place to examine garter snakes,




a wedding in the late afternoon,




a gathering of babies on the lawn,




a canopy for learning how to walk,




inspiration for a little romance




and a background for reunions,




shade for the front porch,




and a fun place to run over crunchy leaves in the fall.


BUT!!!
There are problems with the willow--
one limb, difficult to lop off, hangs dangerously low over the house,



Woodpeckers have punched many holes in the trunk and it's become a haven for many insects.
It sheds its small but numerous leaves endlessly over the lawn and the porch.




When our Storytellers came they asked how, if we had this quote in our house, we could think of cutting down an honest tree.

Well, maybe we won't. Maybe we'll start a little tree nearby and when that gets older and bigger, the willow might just be ready to relinquish it's place to another generation. Maybe we'll let the willow decide.