Timber!

Bzzzz. Crack. Timberrr! Thump. The sound is a bit unnerving.

The time has come to remove the dead trees, at least the ones that threaten the soap shop. Better to fall now in a calculated sort of way than to come crashing down onto the rooftop unexpectedly, don't you think?

This majestic eastern red cedar was about 48 feet tall, and there's at least a half dozen more around the perimeter of the building. Patiently waiting for the whine of the chainsaw. The dreaded buzz cut. The landscape is rapidly changing.

Approximately 60% of our trees are dead now (both evergreens and hardwoods) thanks to extended drought conditions over many many years (with even more fatalities most likely to come). Many people here consider red cedars to be mere trash trees, but I've enjoyed ours immensely over the years. Their "always on" green leaves. Their edible blue berries. The long shaggy bark and aromatic red heartwood.

This grand-daddy will live on as several hearty new fence posts. But I wish it was still green and growing! R.I.P. old friend.