The article reflects on the author’s experiences with climate change and its impact on the environment surrounding his home in southeastern Pennsylvania. After moving back to the U.S. from Hong Kong in 1997, the author has witnessed the deterioration of local trees, attributed largely to severe weather events and climate-related issues. Over the years, he has worked to restore his 257-year-old farmhouse and barn while contending with the loss of several trees, including notable species such as American Elm and apple trees, due to hurricanes and invasive pests exacerbated by warmer winters.
The author became increasingly aware of climate issues in the mid-1990s and drew connections between these environmental changes and future predictions of rising sea levels and ecological destruction. Deciding to adapt to this new climate reality, he planted windmill palms that could thrive in his area, symbolizing a shift in response to persistently changing conditions.
In a poignant decision, he also faced the unfortunate necessity of removing a large, healthy oak tree that posed a danger to his home due to the potential for falling branches during storms. The author describes the emotional weight of this action, marking its historical significance by counting the tree’s rings and noting important events in history, while reconciling the loss with the knowledge that other trees around him have also succumbed to climate-related pressures.
Ultimately, the piece concludes with a mix of humor and somber reflection, recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change while finding resilience in planting new trees—acknowledging the shifting reality of their environment.
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