The Launching of the Tree

Even though we own over two acres of forested land (at considerable expense through purchase price and taxes), we somehow still have the need to spend more money every year to buy another tree. The irony is that the tree has been cut down out of a different forest and then we bring the dieing tree into our house and nurture it with water, decorations, and gifts; practically teasing it into believing that it will somehow survive and be set free. But like the bull in the ring, its fate has been predetermined.

In our family we have developed our own unique tradition for disposal. Rather than free the tree out of its stand and dragging it through the house to leave a thick trail of pine needles and wall scratches, retying it to the top of the car and hauling it to the town dump; we LAUNCH it.

We cut off all the branches until it resembles a missile, then we do to it what one would do with a missile; we launch it out the nearest window where it soars down a 30-foot embankment and back into its natural habitat.

I bring you video of the 9th Annual Launching of the Tree...