Woodman, Spare That Tree. Or Not?

Some mornings are more exciting than others.
Early this morning I heard loud buzzing noises and, looking out a window,
saw our cul-de-sac crowded with trucks, and workers lopping big limbs off an old oak tree.

"The lofty oak from a small acorn grows."
  Lewis Duncombe, De Minimus Maxima  

 In this picture, the tree is right across the cul-de-sac from our mailbox,

which is at the end of our drive.

It's the biggest tree in the shot, right in the middle.

That the tree was coming down surprised me.  

This oak tree belongs partly to us;

 it straddles our property line with our neighbors'.

Half theirs.  Half ours.

"Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong."
- Winston Churchill  

We didn't know they had contracted to have the tree removed.

It's the big tree on the left.

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The neighbor behind me knocked on my door to make sure I had seen what was happening,

and he and I walked over to talk with the workmen.

There it is, right smack in the middle of this picture, taken from our dining room.

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As I understand it, the neighbors originally wanted the limbs cut that hung

over their house, which is completely understandable.

But the tree surgeon told them the tree was dying and should be removed.

"Of all man's works of art, a cathedral is greatest.

A vast and majestic tree is greater than that."

Henry Ward Beecher 

I am trying to get an arborist to give an unbiased opinion about the tree, as I would like to save it.

However, I also don't want to enter into a war with my neighbors.

Work on it has stopped for the time being.

I wish I were wiser.   What would Solomon do?

There's a moral to this story somewhere, and it has to do with communication.

"Then here's to the oak, the brave old oak, Who stands in his pride alone! And still flourish he a hale green tree When a hundred years are gone!" -  H. F. Chorley. 1831-1872.

I had something else planned for today, with links to all the wonderful Friday link parties, but this has just taken up too much time; I'm waiting a call back from another arborist. 

Poor old tree.  It's been here longer than anyone's memory, and it is such a beauty.
I hope we can save it and stay on good terms with our neighbors.  Wish us luck!  -- Cass