When Trees Fly

100 Ton Crane Dwarfing the House
Elkridge, MD
June 17, 2020

I saw trees fly yesterday! 

It was sobering to watch the ash trees which had bordered our property and provided years of shade be removed and reduced to logs and mulch. The trees fell victim to the emerald ash borer a couple years ago and had become hazards; dropping branches during wind storms. 

The crane used to make the trees fly was huge. As I told the crane operator, we are not around heavy equipment and so it was exciting to watch the work that the team did yesterday. 

Riding the Crane into the Trees
Elkridge, MD
June 17, 2020

Chris and I had a ring-side seat to the activity. The trees were a threat to our house and property. While it was exciting to witness, it was also sad. The trees had filled the skyline around our house since we moved there. Seeing the bare branches of the formerly majestic ash trees was a stark reminder that our environment is being ruined by foreign invaders.  The trees were killed by the emerald ash borer, an unwanted invasive species from Asia. 

I was especially impressed by the arborist who rode the crane to get into the tree and to make the cuts. I am not sure I would like to do his job. 

Watching the entire top of the trees take flight was something that I had never seen before. The crane operator had to be so careful because of the houses and cars near the landing zone. 

And so the trees are gone. They remain in pictures and in my memory--but, alas, even my memories will fade as I grow accustomed to the new skyline around my home.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD