Loss of a dear old friend...

Saturday was a sad day. We lost the old Macintosh apple tree in the backyard, after a long battle with age and disease. I had gone out, as I'm programmed to on the third Saturday in January, to prune and spray all the trees, and feed the citrus. I'd been watching the Macintosh for a couple of years, and knew her time was short-lived.

Twelve years ago, when we purchased the property from Olan's widow, the tree was gnarled and malformed, and early signs of disease were evident. Pruning, during Olan's declining years, had not occured, and I had to surgically remove some pieces of the trunk that first winter. I sprayed and fed her, and she'd made a nice recovery. For the next few years, we enjoyed some tangy fruit, some years in abundance, some not.

Then, when we were away and the house was a rental, it was again, not well cared for. Upon our return here three years ago, the tree showed significant signs of ill health. I'd not held much hope for her, but she was hearty and produced pretty well the past two seasons, even if best for juicing.

Saturday morning, I had pruned the other trees, seeking to put off the inevitable, and as I ascended the ladder to gently prune a few misguided shoots from the Macintosh, it was apparent she was no longer viable. At the highest places on the main trunk, her disease was in full view. She was in obvious pain, and nothing in my limited skill set could save her.

I moved the ladder and fetched the chain saw. Said my goodbye's...and put her down.

The photo shows the remains, which we'll lovingly season, and on the first signs of next winter's chill, in mid November, that old Macintosh will be the honored first flame in the woodstove, where she'll give of herself one more time, as loving heat for the family home.

One of my favorite memories, is making juice with Glenn two years ago. We had fun picking and washing and tossing fruit in the juicer. I know, it was only a tree, but we'll miss that old, weary Macintosh.