I’ve photographed this old stone springhouse and it’s magnificent companion oak many times. I have trouble walking past them without making an exposure. The oak is, I believe, a swamp chestnut oak, Quercus michauxii. I’d love to know how old this tree is – probably it’s older than this country by 100 or so years. It is probably approaching the point of decline, but will probably live another 50-100 years beyond that if left alone. It would certainly be a crime against nature if it were cut. If the springhouse were to go, well so be it – as irreplaceable as it might be the tree is much more so. In any case, it is unlikely the oak would come down all at once. More likely, once the process starts, it will spend 75 years or so dropping individual limbs until just the hulk of the main (lower) trunk remains, providing denning for many species for many years.

28-90mm Vario-Elmarit ASPH, Nikon 800e, Lr4, Ps CS6.