I think, if possible, that part of Herbie should be dried, and fashioned into a casket.
Then, when the time arises, two friends will be joined again.
Very fitting
Herbie won’t be hauled to the woodpile.
Instead, his remains will be kiln-dried in a mill. He’ll eventually be transformed into salad bowls, Christmas ornaments and furniture. The total cost of his removal will be about $20,000.
A committee overseen by the new tree warden, Deb Hopkins, has been deciding how to divvy up Herbie’s remains. Some of the wood will go to local artisans. Some will be auctioned, with part of the proceeds going to the town tree trust. Eventually, Hopkins hopes to build the tree fund to $200,000, with some being used to plant disease-resistant elms.