Based on the rings of the tree, the ol’ pine in the backyard was roughly 80 years old. As it is also ~80 years ago that Everett C. Hardin passed, I wonder if this was a memorial tree. Unfortunately, trees do not last forever. The pine tree had several cracks that ran the length of the tree trunk. There was no bringing this tree back to life.

Next year we shall plant a new tree to replace this one. It will most likely be an oak or maple tree rather than a coniferous tree.