What if the tree in the backyard, the one that has stood tall for a century could tell stories?
What if, after years of bird shelter, shadow provision and serve as a witness to countless moments, could it continue to give it? Most of us see trees as passive, stationary entities, but nature has its own way to transform and inevitable into something meaningful.
For Sharalee Armitage Howard, the 110 -year -old tree on her property was not only a natural monument, but to leave a lasting heritage. When the tragedy struck and had to descend, instead of the sadness of his loss, she found a creative way to preserve her spirit and share it with the world.
The story of how it transformed this aging cotton into a pulsating community center is a love, ingenuity and the strength of rediscovery.
Nature offers us countless blessings, many of which we often take for granted. For example, trees provide shade, serve as a perfect foundation for tree houses, offer bird houses and create permanent memories. They act as quiet, wise guards when they stood up time and witnessed so much. One woman had a 110 -year -old tree on her property, which unfortunately became ill. While the tree had to be limited, it decided to maintain it in a meaningful way by transforming it into a community library.
Turn a tree into a library
Shalee Armitage Howard faced a harsh decision. Beautiful cotton tree in its garden, beloved many, became ill and began to shed large branches as a tactic of survival. However, these branches pose a security risk for anyone walking near her house. Shalalee explained in an interview with a bored panda: “For years, huge branches fell on the sidewalk and street, even without windy weather. We were really worried that someone was hurting. One finally hit our son.”
Interestingly, cotton trees usually have a lifetime of 40-50 years, so this particular tree has lived two lives. Shalee, however, did not want someone to be damaged, so he hired a tree Feeller to remove it. But as a former librarian, she had a different vision of the trunk of the tree. Instead of completely removing it, she decided to turn it into a community library and created a place for all you could enjoy.
Little Free Library Project project
To revive her vision, Sharalee has worked with Little Free Library, a non -profit organization that is engaged in the encouragement of reading, supporting creativity and building community through exchanges. Their websites state: “It inspires the love of reading, building community and sparking creativity by promoting neighborhood exchanges around the world.”
With a small free library, Shalalee transformed the Cottonwood suitcase into a fairy -tale library on its subject. The suitcase was excavated and the roof was added. The wooden shelves were then installed and the light accessories were placed in to illuminate the books. On the outside, light was also added to lead visitors to the library. Finally, a set of stone steps leading to the glass door was placed and protected the books inside.
The community library is open to anyone who can enjoy. The only rule is that if you take a book, you have to leave it in exchange.
Public reaction
The unique library inside the tree trunk has stretched various reactions online. One commentator was funny and darkly described as “House of Horror for Trees”, he added: “Inside the corpse of their former friend are processed remnants of their tree brothers and tree nurses. The literal tree house of horrors.” On the more positive remark, another person appreciated Sharalee’s creativity and said, “What an amazing thing did!
Conclusion
The transformation of Shalee Armitage Howard’s Howard’s once beloved 110 -year -old Cottonwood tree into a community library is a beautiful proof of creativity, community and permanent wisdom offered by nature. By turning the trunk of a tree into a place where people can exchange books and ideas, it not only preserved the heritage of the tree, but also created a permanent gift for their surroundings.
This innovative project serves as a reminder that even if there is something we appreciate, it can be rebirth in a way that continues to inspire and serve others. A small single library stands as a symbol of how one person’s vision can affect the community and encourage sharing knowledge, all in honor of the spirit of the tree that once stood in its garden.