An Unlikely Holiday Decoration
There are many examples of things in our lives that we don’t notice until they are gone. One such example is a large beautiful oak tree (or what remains of it) in the median of Clark Avenue across from the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. What makes it a bit more peculiar is the makeshift cross and wreath as seen above. At first glance, it looks to be a small decoration put up for the holidays.
After stopping to take a photo of it, a resident who lives in the house across from it gave me a bit of insight. The tree sat upon a manhole cover and after more than 20 years of being strange neighbors, the city needed access to it. It turns out that it wasn’t a holiday decoration at all–it was a memorial to the beloved tree that has provided shade for passing pedestrians and motorists, as well as many doves that called it home.
Even with the loss of the tree, Clark Avenue  remains a beautiful street: it’s one of only a few thoroughfares that have a tree-lined median so close to the city’s core.
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From all of us at Goodnight Raleigh, we wish you a Happy Christmas, Hannukah, Ramadan, Festivus, or whatever holiday you celebrate.
Articles from Christmases Past:
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12/24/2009
That’s a shame, but I guess it was in the way. I have this strange feeling Raleigh’s losing it’s Oaks.
12/28/2009
I agree with Aaron- Raleigh needs to go on an “oak planting” binge to replace some of the great older trees that are reaching the end of their natural lifespans. I have noticed several new trees being planted along Western Blvd- not sure what types of trees they are, but we do need more oaks….it IS the City of Oaks after all.
12/28/2009
How, exactly, did this gain them access to the manhole? It seems like the stump is just as much in the way…
01/01/2010
Thanks for looking into this. I saw this when I passed by last week and was wondering about the story behind it.