Thy Neighbor's Tree

We all have tree envy. We all have favorite old sycamores, maples and oaks that make us swoon as we do our daily rounds. Even when they belong to our neighbors, we think of these great old trees as part of the public domain, living landmarks that are essential to the character of our town.

We lost one such hallowed tree on the Tuesday after Memorial Day when the sugar maple in Susan Pinsky and Marc Rosen's front yard on Route 63 across from the South Canaan Meeting House tragically crashed to the ground. It was 5 feet wide at the base and seven feet at shoulder height, and it was at least 200 years old. The couple, who have owned their circa 1750 house since 1986, were devastated by their loss. And so, too, were many Falls Villagers.

Last week, Susan and Marc planted a new tree, which they got from Windy Hill Farm. It's not as big, of course, as its predecessor but it's an impressive specimen, and they have created a slide show of its installation to share. After all, their tree is really our tree, too.