Update: The tree survived and is still alive.

The tree in the photo was planted around one hundred years ago by my great grandfather. It died years ago, following the fate of its companions from earlier storms. I remember as a child watching my 75 year old grandfather cutting up one of the cottonwoods with a chainsaw. You’re only as old as you feel, I guess. The storm two weeks ago also wiped out a shed donated by FDR to farmers in the Great Depression. Note how the one giant branch is still hanging precipitously on the lower branches. Its time will come soon, too.