Problem Solving and Decision Making

Over the last two years I have come to terms that as much as I love my trees, this new year they are the first thing on my list that have to go. These include a golden plum, a cow fig, a cotton tree, and another one I don’t know the species. These four trees are on the four corners of the first part of the house which while they were growing provided shade, fruit, birds, and beauty, but even though I made the decision long ago that they will need to be cut down, I will finally be implementing that decision in 2014.

So I made the decision to cut them. Why didn’t I do it earlier? The answer is simple, I love my trees, and every limb that is cut makes me feel like I am cutting off the limb of a living creature not a plant. Its almost like I hear them screaming and seeing blood come out of their injury. When you live on the Savannah where trees are scarce every tree is precious, I don’t believe that trees should be cut. In other words an intelligent decision was made but the emotional dimension blocked the implementation.

The reason however for finally implementing the decision is that the roots have grown under the building and they have over the years been breaking up the floor, and floor beams. The tiles are broken, water pipes as well, and maintenance increased including the facilitation of wood lice to the property. I have tolerated the falling leaves even when we had to clean all gutters on a weekly basis, and even the areas that remained wet for a long time due to the large shade areas.

I will miss the trees, I will miss their shade, their fruits, the birds that they attract, the bees during their blossoming stages every year, and even the cotton tree with its annual supply of brown cotton.

So I am closing off the old year with the  resolution to finally cut down the 4 trees.  I will say my final goodbyes when the day comes. 

Am I crazy, definitely not, well maybe just a little.

A Happy New Year to all my friends and family.