beauty in decay and regeneration

Recently we were very sad to have to fell an old diseased tree. Its roots were damaging the house foundations, as unfortunately it had been planted too close when it was little.

I had not realised how traumatic it would be. I think if it were not for the disease we would have left it and just hoped it wouldn't be blown over destroying the house.

Sometime later our neighbour came round and asked if he could have the root section, it was huge and he has a bad back but he was determined to drag it off down the road. At the time we had no idea why he wanted it.

Now we know. ....In his garden he tends to several 'root ends'. As time goes by and the soil residue dries out, he carefully dusts the roots and reveals their beauty. We have not lost our tree, our kind friend has shown us its new life.

The garden of roots proves to be a point of interest to all who visit or just pass by, spreading as much pleasure as the trees did in their prime.