Kingsland couple’s beloved tree dies but gets a new ‘life’
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
KINGSLAND — When a towering mulberry tree in the backyard of Rob and Shereen Hirning’s lakeside home began looking a bit “under the weather,” the couple turned to a tree expert for advice on reinvigorating it.
The prognosis wasn’t good.
“There was nothing we could do,” Shereen said. The fruit-bearing tree probably was planted about the time the home on Euel Moore Drive in Kingsland was built in the 1970s. Based on the life expectancy of mulberry trees, the Hirnings learned this one was probably at the end of it.
When the tree eventually did succumb to its age, the Hirnings pondered what to do with it.
“We just couldn’t cut it all the way down,” Rob said. “We wanted to keep it. It’s part of this house.”
As they thought about the problem, the couple had an arborist trim back the dead limbs about a year ago, leaving the main branches reaching high above the trunk. For almost a year, they considered their options. Then, they remembered a photo their daughter had sent them several years ago. The photo shows another tree, also dead, but with a new look.
“It’s a pencil tree,” Shereen said.
The owner of the tree had cut the limbs, “sharpened” the remaining branches and painted them as pencils.
Immediately, the Hirnings knew what they wanted to do with the mulberry tree.
They found help in artist Daniel Miller.
Miller agreed to transform the mulberry using their vision for a pencil tree. Shereen picked out the vibrant colors and turned the project over to Miller.
On April 1, Miller wrapped up his work. Now, the Hirnings have their very own pencil tree in the backyard of their lakehouse.
“He did exactly what he said he’d do,” Shereen said. “I think it’s so cool.”
The house, which the couple rents out as a vacation rental as well as uses themselves, sits on the shore of Lake LBJ east of RR 2900. Even as the couple stood in the backyard sharing the story of the tree, boats cruising by slowed down as the folks on board paused for a better look. Maybe they’re just trying to make sure they’re seeing what they think they’re seeing. At least two people snapped photos of the tree.
The Hirnings don’t mind the attention.
“It certainly gives people a place to come by on boat to bring people and show them the tree,” Shereen said.
“Kids will definitely get a kick out of it,” Rob added.
While they know the tree will eventually succumb to rot, the Hirnings hope they and others can get several more years of enjoyment out of it before that happens.
“We thank God for what he’s given us,” Shereen said as she looked at the tree. “Just like everything else he gives us, it’s borrowed.”
daniel@thepicayune.com