Thursday Tree Love: The Will to Live

July 27, 2023 by JoAnna 25 Comments

On a recent trip to the mountains of North Carolina, we discovered this sycamore tree that had apparently fallen over into the river. It had been cut near the trunk and a section was removed. An abundance of new growth has sprouted up from the remaining sections, and I suspect roots reach down into the river bottom.

Having been distracted from asking about this at the nearby Bed and Breakfast where we stayed, I’ve emailed some questions to them and hope to have more to share later.) See update below.

David and Marley by the cut sycamore tree

Original Trunk – shows the tree fell before being cut

At first, I thought this was too sad to post, thinking the tree will probably be removed at some time. But who knows if or when that will happen. In the meantime, the tree persists with a powerful will to live. It reminds me of the resilience of nature that Jane Goodall talks about in The Book of Hope, a Survival Guide for Trying Times. She clarifies that time is running out and we need to help nature heal and flourish.

UPDATE: Julie at River House Inn and Restaurant emailed me back with more information and a photo for which I am grateful:

The huge tree, estimated to be over 185 years old, had 4 large trunks, 3 of which fell about 4 or 5 years ago in September during a hurricane, probably Florence which reached all the way to the mountains. They kept the single trunk standing, but it fell this past December when the river flooded onto the bank.  Woodworkers made platters, bowls, trivets, etc. from the first three trunks and planned the same for this one.  So far no one has been able to remove the tree with roots embedded in the bottom of the river.  

Here’s a picture of her in all of her glory:

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Thursday Tree Love is hosted by Parul Thakur. For more tree love, visit Parul’s blog, Happiness and Food, by clicking HERE.