(PHOTOS) Unique Browndale Tree to Come Down

Cottonwood trees are the tallest trees in St. Louis Park, says Jim Vaughan, the city's environmental coordinator. And in , deep in the east woods, one of the tallest is scheduled to be taken down. Make that two of the tallest—sort of. 

Says Vaughan, "I suspect, perhaps 65 years ago, two of the millions of floating cottonwood seeds took root and grew together as sister trees, at times merging as one, until their height and the wind separated them permanently."

"We hate to see it come down," says the tree's neighbor, Carolyn Rusch. "We just saw a parade of six large raccoons climbing down the tree."

Husband Dan Bell adds, "It has provided wonderful shade for us in the 17 years we've lived here. It's been a good friend." The couple's three children have grown up beneath this tree.

The dual stem has split to the ground, and the tree is in danger of falling; it will be professionally removed within the next couple of weeks. Cottonwoods can grow to 125 years of age, and they are one of the most common trees in St. Louis Park, due to our many parks and sources of water. The city has been replacing trees in Browndale Park that have been lost to Dutch Elm disease and age, and planting a new diversity of young saplings.

"We're proud of our trees," says Vaughan. "We try to keep the dead trees for the wildlife, but this one's just too dangerous."

Regardless of how you feel about the cottonwoods' flying seeds in the spring (and there are thousands of cottonwoods in SLP), it is sad to see, and hear, this unique tree be felled by the human saw.

These sisters have weathered the elements and the odds—and stood the test of time.