Faster than the speed of trees?

Here’s one I bet you didn’t know …

These trees …

that we cut down two days ago had a few growth rings that were an inch apart, which means the trunk grew fatter by one entire inch that year! This particular tree can grow as much as 6-10 feet taller per year.

I planted six of them some 10-12 years ago as a windbreak and shade for my wood shop. Dubbed the “tree from Australia” (Austree), they’re a hybrid willow that grows MIGHTILY! (If you’re in need of a quick shade tree, check out their website.) They’re a fantastic wind and snow break, only they grow soooo fast, mine were actually tearing up the foundation of the building AND making our homegrown cooperative power company nervous. (This past winter, the trees shorted out our electrical transformer. The sparks they were a flyin’.) An Austree is supposed to top out at 40 feet, but mine didn’t get the memo to stop—they just kept reaching for the sky.

It was sad, but they had to go. Earlier this week, we put our efforts into saving my two English walnut trees, so I don’t feel totally bad.

  1. Terry Steinmetz says:

    Interesting type of tree. Sad to see it go, but safer for all of you!

  2. Winnie Nielsen says:

    Making a decision to take down a nice big tree is for me the same level of stress as a decision to euthanize a pet! Trees feel like friends and I get used to their abiding presence.

    • MaryJane says:

      I cut down an apple tree once that was in the wrong place and my 10 year old son mourned for days. I had no idea he was so attached to it. Love your choice of words, “abiding presence.”

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