Quel un bummer - the old horse chestnut tree has to go.

[swag]

Our house turns 100 this year. Sad to say that the horse chestnut tree out back won't make it to that age, though the arborist estimates that it is 85 to 100 years old. Imposing old thing, which does a lot to keep the house, particularly the upstairs, cool in the hot months.

Unfortunately it was topped rather crudely some decades ago, apparently by an owner who found its unfettered growth to be a nuisance. And so its new growth eventually became unsustainable, casting down roots that hollowed and rotted the rest of the tree, and creating pressures that have caused the tree to begin sloughing large limbs. So a crew is coming in the middle of next month to take the entire thing down.

On the bright side, the moss problem in the tree-shaded part of the roof will go away, and our gutters will no longer be clogged by the tree's detritus. Also, we will get more sunlight in the back yard for more hours, and we will be able to plant a tree or trees (probably some sort of maple) of our choosing in another spot in the back yard.

Still, it's kind of sad to see the tree go. It is almost twice as old as I am and has been one of the more heroic trees on the block for many years.

Zut!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear swag...

I hear your sadness, and I sure understand it...

And I still agree with your conclusions too...

Hopefully the trees you plant in its place will get to live over 100 years...

Hugs to you...

Perhaps you could do something with all the wood from that old tree? Some sort of momento...

[swag]

2. That's a nice thought.

We do have a couple of smaller pieces from the recent snappage which are beautiful in and of themselves. We'll see what the stacks of wood inspire when the time comes. Thanks.

[freethought]

3. Too bad the tree is hollow and rotted out

Kind of a shame. It may have had some value as lumber provided the main trunk was suitable. Certain types of woods are actually highly prized and are sometimes sold after they are cut down. I do know that American Chestnut has a wood that is highly rot resistant. Not sure about horse chestnuts. Mature walnut trees are sometimes targeted for theft.

Well, crack a beer or poor a glass of anything and give the old chestnut a toast!

[swag]

4. Will raise a glass as you say.

Thanks very much.

[Raven]

5. I was shedding a few tears this morning about a maple tree

that has not bloomed. All the others have. I'm not sure what happened to it. Maybe I'll give it some more time. I'm sorry for your loss. Trees are constant friends.

[swag]

7. Sorry about that maple. I hope it bucks up.

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. What a shame that you have to lose that big old tree.

It's a thing of beauty and a welcome provider of shade.

[swag]

8. Your post reminds me that it has also been a great residence

for migrating birds. I hope they can all find other hotels for the time being.

[catmandu57]

9. Is there some way to get a cutting from the tree

and plant it after the tree comes down? I don't know anything about stuff like that, but it seems like you could keep the tree alive ver 2.0 doing that.

[swag]

16. Good idear.

Thanks.

[swimboy]

10. My heart goes out to you.

A champion tree leaves a void spatially, functionally and sentmentally. It takes faith and years to address. Dirr says Aesculus hippocastanum is not easy to propagate from cuttings as some species are but notes only that cultivars are grafted on the species and that seeds require 3 to 4 months at 41 F. You could probably use your refrigerator if you want to try. Otherwise look for a young volunteer already sprouted but small enough to transplant.

A maple is a good choice for a replacement but I would avoid Silver Maple. They grow fast but that can result in weak wood. That's all the unsolicited advice I'll offer for now. You have folks on your coast who know what works.

I got to see the chestnut behind the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam last fall. Apparently they will be losing that soon. It was a champion too and my survey of it was made the more memorable by the mushrooms, I expect.

[KeyLimeDem]

11. Great shade tree

but the wood isn't usable. Soft and spongy.
Other than the below there is a good article in wikipedia. Said it's a common tree in beer gardens in Germany. Also the source of buckeyes, which is one of my favorite Christmas treats. Not the nut but the confection.

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chehor58.html

[BarenakedLady]

12. I hate cutting down trees

I always feel badly. When we built this house, I couldn't be here when they cleared trees for the house. I made sure that we got rid of only what we absolutely needed to. We have a lovely old shagbark hickory in the front. It is the mother tree to all the little ones spotting the front yard. I wonder how old it is. I would be heartbroken if it had to be cut down for some reason.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

13. sorry

:hug:

[Richard Steele]

14. As Catmandu asked, can you get a cutting and plant a clone of the old fella?

Also, could you make arrangements to save some of the wood
and have it made into something for your home, as a memento?

[Kali]

15. Sorry for the loss.

I totally understand. We have been losing the old cottonwoods that were brought out on a wagon from Texas by my G-grandfather. They aren't that long lived anyway, but the past 10 years of drought have taken their toll.

[bettyellen]

17. oh please get a dogwood or a dove tree maybe...

maples are taking over the world and they don't need your help to do it.
:hi: