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A tribute to the Beaver Dam Tree

October 20, 2016

Ron MacArthur reports yet another development is planned for Beaver Dam Road, just west of Kendale Road, not too far from our local landmark, the old school bus. Ron's article features, as it should, a beautiful photo of The Beaver Dam Tree, yes, "The" Beaver Dam Tree, the one that grows alone in a 70-acre field and talks to us, her neighbors, as we ride past.

Yes, that's correct. She talks to us.

Remarkably, since 2002, at least 1,000 new, out-of-towners like me have bought new homes between Five Points and Heron Bay. As development continues to explode, we have come to appreciate The Beaver Dam Tree. While we didn't know her as she grew up and we don't know her owner, she's captured our attention, reminding us of trees we loved back home in the Bronx and the Garden State, in Philly and Baltimore, in those places we left for a quieter life here, among pastures and cows.

We realize our desire to settle here is the reason The Beaver Dam Tree is the last one standing in that field. Our homes replaced so many others like her as well as the evergreens, holly trees and wild dogwoods that once bordered a far less trafficked Beaver Dam Road. Yet now, we find ourselves looking at her and wondering about her past, about what was. And remarkably, she sometimes seems to know we're curious; almost seems to want to tell her story; almost seems to be whispering. When traffic allows us to slow down, we listen. We've become wannabe tree whisperers, eager to hear her otherwise forever-gone stories.

The Beaver Dam Tree has no name and because she's way in off the road, it's hard to recognize her leaves, to know her species. We can see she's big, strong and old. For sure, she's been climbed, carved and run around. Surely she has sheltered many a picnicker from summer rain showers. I can't imagine the number of times she was home-base for kids playing hide and seek, and no doubt, she was the safe place where broken hearts were mended. Wouldn't be surprised at how many secrets she knows, secrets heard as youngsters sat and boasted of things their parents were glad to never have known, and secrets of young love and wise elders. Did she once have a swing? Betcha she did! Did horses rest beneath her branches?

Can't you see them? Did travelers take her photo against a colorful evening sky? Countless times!

I thank photographer Ron. I also have this request of Mr. Developer: Please, tell your architect to protect The Beaver Dam Tree. Give her a well-deserved place of honor. She'll welcome your 100 new households with the blessings of her deep Delaware roots and the spirit of her past. Like us, they will grow to respect her, maybe even give her a name.

We are not very happy to share Beaver Dam Road with yet another 100 new neighbors and their 200 additional cars, but we might have an easier time accepting your development plans if the tree we treasure continues to grow.

Kathleen McGlade
Oak Crest Farms

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