With a loud crack, the forty-foot tall pine tree began to fall as I made the final cut with the chainsaw. It fell exactly where I wanted it to. Then, I started in on the second equally tall tree.

Both trees were dead, victims of old age and infringement from the neighbor’s willow tree, so it was time to remove them. I did exercise all the precautions that minimized the chance of damage to the house, and injury to me. A forty-foot tall tree requires a fifty-foot long rope looped around the trunk about eight feet off the ground. The other end gets tied to my lawn tractor and stretched tight in the direction I want the tree to fall. Then I cut a notch in the fall side, and finish with an angled cut on the backside so the trunk can’t jump back. 

About this time the neighbor lady came out after hearing the loud crack, fearing the worst. She made some comment about guys in their eighties cutting down trees, but I assured her I was not putting myself in harms way. I proceeded with the process to take down tree number two.

With both trees safely felled, lying side by side on the ground, I quickly cut off all the branches, and cut the trunks into manageable logs for stacking. Then, I got out the chipper/shredder, and ground up all the branches and debris.

All this half-day of hard work was only prelude to my real purpose; planting new trees. You see, I signed up for membership with the Arbor Day Foundation, and they thanked me with a gift of ten Norway Spruce trees. The trees arrived in a plastic bag imprinted with the warning: “Plant Immediately!” Now the term “tree” might be a little misleading, they were more like green pine twigs with roots. Nevertheless, I dug generous holes and lovingly placed and patted these living things in the ground and gave them their first drink of water.

Someday these saplings will become trees worthy of the name, and perhaps my great grandchildren (if I have any by then) will see them. No matter, someone will behold them, and I’m happy for the thought. It is said that Martin Luther, the great reformer, once was asked what he would do if he knew that Jesus would return to earth tomorrow. He replied that he would plant a tree today.

Scripture tells us over and over to keep on living life because we don’t know when Jesus is going to return.Until then we’ll continue to love those around us, waiting in hope, and planting trees for the next generation.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf,

for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:4-7 (ESV)