The Phoenix Cottonwood

Up from the roots: green

It was March 14, when the limbs of the cottonwood tree on 51st were cut off (please see my first and third posts on the blog). I'd always intended to go over on Borden Avenue, find the entrance to the building, and talk to those running the business on whose property the tree grew. I'd driven by a few times and thought it looked closed, and I could not see the name - even though the name Diplomat Envelope Company could be seen fading on the side of the building. There was a large 'yard' and the gates were closed. I wanted to get to the bottom of WHY the cottonwood had been cut down. I'd presumed it was possible that the roots were still growing, disturbing the plumbing or the foundation. But I did not pursue it.

I'd learned from a biologist friend that the vine that had surrounded the tree and grown up into the branches and onto the building had been poison ivy. Could it have been a way to get rid of the ivy...a bit of overkill, in attempting to kill the host of the ivy? My friend also told me the horizontal cuts around the base of the cottonwood were meant to 'ring' the tree, thus cut off it's life source. I simply could not understand why anyone would want to do this.

Then, a few months ago, I saw the signs: Space for Rent. My heart sank. I now believe the space had been empty when the the tree was cut. Still, no answer of why. And, I may never know.

However, I'm not the only one who has noticed the tree has continued to grow, even through our extremely hot months. Though I don't know if this means the tree will survive or flourish again, it looks like it's trying - and the leaves are as green as they ever were. Here's hoping.

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