Farewell Willow

The sunrise this morning was lovely and cast a rosy glow over the garden.

I planted this willow nearly 16 years ago at the bottom of our garden overlooked by our kitchen window. Sadly last year it started to split at the base and now has a 8 cm broad gap running across the full trunk into the ground and across the flower bed. We have it tethered with rope to last this current spell of high winds but alas, it looks like it will take out the wall at the back if we don't chop it down. It's a real pity as it is a lovely tree, with plenty of movement, looks gorgeous in all seasons with catkins in spring, lush summer green leaves, orange /yellow in autumn & crisp branches in winter with snow and frost. The birds love it, as does S who used to climb it - maybe that's the reason it split...hmmm