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The Tale of Two Trees
We have two trees, Walnut and Pecan, in our
yard; they have a story to tell. . . .
| The walnut tree has stood the test of time for many
years. An early photo from our farm shows the tree in the background, already a
good-sized, sturdy tree with a very noticeable “north” lean. When I came to
the farm in 1972, I wanted to cut down the leaning, broken-up tree with dead
limbs and a hollow trunk. But my husband, who cannot bring himself to give up on
anything that may have a shred of value, was adamantly against cutting down this
fine tree. I was so sure it would not stand much longer that I planted a tender
young maple close by. But Walnut
refused to succumb to the elements.
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Each year Walnut bursts forth with a new crop of leaves
and continues to produce an abundant crop of big green walnuts as if to taunt
me. (I have to rake them up so I can mow.) Woodpeckers
love the tree, knocking themselves senseless on its hard, hollow bark. And each
year, Walnut and Maple grow a little taller, a little thicker and a little
sturdier. Through the years their branches have intertwined as if they are
thriving on each other’s companionship. And quite often my husband proudly
points out the tree he didn’t give up on.
After the Hertzlers purchased the farm in 1967, Daddy
planted several pecan seedlings in the yard. Forty-four years later these trees
have grown into tall, stately shade trees producing generous crops of delicious
pecans. But one tree in particular was hiding a deadly problem; it had developed
a bad heart with decay rotting deep into its core.
Early in its youth, a cow bit off the top of the tree, almost ruining it.
It appeared to recover, shooting up four thick, strong trunks.
However, in recent years we began to notice the well-kept secret.
A split appeared in the trunk where it divided into four sections. Over
time moisture had corrupted the flesh of the tree, seeping deep into its soul
and rotting the heart.
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Gene came to the tree’s rescue and put a chain around
the weakened trunks and tightened them together.
The tree continued to withstand the storms of life, including Hurricane
Isabel in 2003, and grew larger, causing the security chain to snap apart. We
noticed what had happened to the support but put off coming to the tree’s aid.
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One evening several weeks ago, a sudden “big blow”
broke off one of the trunks, revealing a tree rotten to the core. It was a sad
day to see our beloved shade tree for what it really was—beautiful, stately,
but weak.
Once again plans were made
to secure the tree with chains, but before it could be done, another sudden
storm broke off the second trunk, leaving a very weak, lopsided tree to weather
a major hurricane brewing on the horizon. Hurricane Irene was threatening to
show her strength. Again I wanted to
cut down the tree and start over, but again Gene was determined to help the tree
survive.
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This time the two remaining trunks were chained together
and a lifeline chain was fastened well above the diseased core and firmly
secured to the base of a nearby tree. The support tree is strong, and its roots
go deep into the ground. The
strength of the support enabled Pecan to withstand the winds of Hurricane Irene.
We realize that years of decay have taken their toll, and
Pecan will never again be a productive, strong and stately shade tree.
Yes, it has survived a devastating crisis.
Yes, it will produce some more fruit and shade, but no longer will it be
a tree of honor and pride. No longer
will it be able to stand on its own.
Scripture refers to a godly man, a man
who puts his hope and trust in the Lord, as
a strong tree planted by a river, with
roots that grow deep, receiving its nourishment from the life-giving water. A
godly man can withstand times of testing and not be shattered by seasons of
drought and heat. We see why God desires His people to maintain an undivided
heart. (Ps. 86:11)
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Pecan sounded an alarm and has
served as a reminder to “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it
spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Thankfully, the grace of God promises the Holy Sprit as our Helper in
seeking to cultivate a godly heart that can withstand any assault.
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Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out is
roots by the river and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be
green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from
yielding fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can
know it?
I, the Lord, search the heart; I test the mind, even to give every man
according to his way, according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:7-10
Pat Hertzler
August 27, 2011
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