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The old cottonwood tree has been part of the landscape for well over a hundred years. It stood in the center of the pasture near the creek with huge limbs casting giant shadows over the landscape. On a hot summer day, it provided shade on a sand bar at what we called the "Y" where two creeks met. It was always a nice place to stop and rest the horses, let them get a drink, and take a few minutes break from checking cattle. During the winter, the old cottonwood was a landmark for hunters. Dick would go to the edge of the timber, Doran would be at the fence, and one of the boys, just learning to hunt would be at the cottonwood tree with me, where everyone could see them and be seen.[[In-content Ad]]

Cottonwood trees grow near water, and while growing they contain a remarkable amount of moisture, but they will not tolerate being in water. When the lake was built, the huge old cottonwood was left standing surrounded by a few smaller oaks. It marked the edge of the clearing. Everything north of the big tree was cleared and would be open water. All the trees south would eventually be underwater to provide habitat for fish, ducks, and geese.

As the lake filled, the trees left stranded in the water began to die. That first year, the giant cottonwood tree put out a few leaves. The next year, none, and smaller branches began to drop. Each year, bigger branches would fall and drift to shore. For several years, all that remained were a few large branches coming off the main trunk. This served as a perch for the eagles that stop by each deer season. It is almost as if the eagles have a calendar. A few days before season opens, we would see a pair of eagles perched high in the bare branches watching over the pond. They could see most of the farm from their perch and I think they watched us hunt. They know when a deer is cleaned, a tasty meal for them is left behind. After a hearty meal, the birds are back on their perch watching us again.

Last year, I noticed the old cottonwood tree had a large hole in one side. I knew it could fall at anytime. Though fishing on what used to be the sand bar at its base is a great fishing spot, we stayed well away from the potential danger. From a distance, I noticed a wood duck made a nest in the open wound of the tree. We checked on their progress all summer, thinking one day a summer storm would be the end of the tree and its last nesting birds. We were happy when we saw the mother and baby wood ducks were out of their nest and the tree had not yet fallen.

One day this spring we looked out across the lake and it seemed strangely empty. It took a few minutes to realize the void was created when the melting ice shifted and took down what by now was just a giant old soggy trunk with two naked arms reaching skyward. We looked around to see the final resting place of the old cottonwood tree was partly on shore with the main trunk extending out into the lake.

Last weekend, my wife and I took a short boat trip up the lake to where the old tree was probably providing habitat for fish, just waiting for us to catch. When we drew near, we noticed a goose nesting in the crotch of the tree that now lay on its side. To this day, it continues to provide cover to both fish and birds even when it is no longer recognizable as a majestic old cottonwood tree.

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