A Tree In Sherwood Forest
Most residents of Sherwood Forest know this tree. Sadly, and hopefully briefly it is enclosed by a makeshift chain link barrier. I don’t know whether this is some inane attempt to keep the glorious nature and beauty of this tree caged in or to keep us, the citizens of the forest caged out. It has always been, in some way caged. Earlier in its life it sat as the living center piece in the middle of a courtyard at Woodway Elementary School. It served its purpose wonderfully by dutifully leafing out and blooming with extravagant blossoms in the spring, bearing fruit for eager birds and ever-foraging squirrels in the summer and dropping its leaves in the fall in preparation for the dormant winter months. We have been privileged to take pleasure in its performances over the years.
No one knows for certain what the ultimate fate of this beautiful tree will be for it is also caged in controversy. The elementary school which once surrounded it has recently been demolished. It was the hope of many of the citizens of the forest that all of the land belonging to the school could be made into a park and a friendly gathering place for the community. But, school district budgets, politics, fiscal responsibility and the spirit of capitalism have intervened in its destiny. A developer wants the land to build more houses. After some hew and cry by the citizens, approximately half of the property was allotted to the developer and half to the park which would surround the tree. The citizens await the resolution of this controversy, hoping for the day when all of the cages are removed and the tree can at last be free to grow and show and thrive along with the community and citzens of Sherwood Forest.
