The Mulberry--a last note

Betty Jo McDonald, a Pale Male fan from Camarillo, CA, who once sent a batch of unbelievably delicious avocados and limes from her own backyard trees for the delectation of the Central Park Hawkwatchers, wrote me a note today about the death of the Mulberry Tree:

Marie,

I am not surprised that you wept on the news of the tree's death. I have done so many times over the unnecessary removal of a tree. They live so long, provide so much to our world--shade, beauty, fruit, nuts, shelter for animals; they even nourish their own roots by dropping leaves. Indeed, RIP to the old mulberry.

Betty Jo

I answered:

Thanks, Betty Jo, though this removal was not unnecessary. The old tree just keeled over.