The Japanese Red Maple Tree

To me trees are deeply meaningful and beautiful. I even have the tree of life tattoo on the nape of my neck. While there are many sayings to reflect on the symbolism of trees; I recently saw one that resonated afresh. “Remember that trees lose their leaves every year and still stand tall and wait for better days to come.” -Unknown

Today’s post is the true story my friend Linda shares about her father, a man who chopped down his family’s beloved maple tree. 

In May of 1960 my mom and dad moved into their first house in Cranford, NJ.  My mom had always told me that one of the appeals of the house was the cute Japanese red maple tree that stood out front.

Over the years, as my sisters and I grew, my mom would photograph us next to the tree. Smiling, we’d stand dressed up in our best for Easter, or our first day of school. The tree was unique in our neighborhood;  nobody else on our street had a Japanese red maple tree in their yard. The crimson red glow in the sunlight would give an illusion of being on fire. Our front yard was small, and at any given time on a summer day or after school, the kids of our neighborhood would gather on our front lawn to play tag. That maple tree would be used for base. If you were touching her, you were safe.

My mom was especially fond of that tree. We all knew it, my father in particular. My dad was one who was always working on the house or on some project; and if there wasn’t something obvious to work on, he would find something to keep busy. If not at our house, then at someone else’s house. He had hinted a couple of times over the years that he thought the maple was dying. None of us saw any evidence of this. 

Fast forward 40 years later when we were grown, living in our own homes, and the unthinkable happened. I received a frantic phone call from my mother crying and upset that while no one was home, my father chopped down the maple tree. There was no warning, or discussion. He just did it. I remember envisioning at that moment, as my mother was explaining this to me, a freight train plowing into something. I had a fleeting thought that my father was looking to get divorced. I don’t think that he fully comprehended the reality of the situation and how devastating this was not only to my mom, but our whole family. We were baffled and  upset.

I told my mom to put my dad on the phone. I yelled at him for the first time in my life, “Daddy! Where is the tree?! Where did you put it?!” He said, “I gave it to Mr. Stewn across the street for firewood.” Screaming, I demanded, “You go over there right now and bring her back!” My mom got back on the phone and described to me my father walking across the street to Mr. Stewn’s and dragging branches with healthy leaves back to their house.

I jumped into my car and drove to my parents house, which was a half an hour ride at the time. I pulled up in disbelief and cried. One by one my 3 sisters showed up, reacting similarly. I took the branches back to our house in Colts Neck, and with the help of my husband Dave, we set the branches in water to establish root systems. We kept checking on them, hoping for a miracle. We were very excited when roots emerged! Dave transplanted the branches onto our property. With bated breath, and prayers to God, we asked for new trees to grow. The following spring we were tickled when we saw the appearance of red leaves!

Over time we watched the branches transform into small trees. Then came the very exciting time to surprise my mom by transplanting the tree right next to where the original one had been! Our son, Luke, gets the credit for transporting and transplanting. My mom was ecstatic when she saw the tree. She couldn’t believe it! We told my dad that any means of taking the tree down, such as the saw or shears, had been removed from the house.

Since she was transplanted; new generations of great grandchildren have been able to enjoy her. My mom passed away two years later and it truly fills my heart with gratitude and peace to know that her tree was returned for her to enjoy.

My husband Dave with my parents' first grandchild Jessica on the original maple in 1987.

Renew! The branch to tree in Colts Neck!

My dad with his great granddaughter Avreigh and a growing red maple.

After she passed, my dad’s mobility became limited and he spent most of his time in a wheelchair. His favorite spot on the porch was sitting right behind that maple. He’s with my mom now, sharing a bird’s eye view.