In Derry this weekend, a piece of literary history came crashing to earth. Although "Birches" may be Robert Frost's most famous poem about trees, it was an old sugar maple that is said to have inspired many of Frost's poems, including "Tree at My Window". That tree stood for many years on Frost's farm in Derry. However, it had become so diseased that it posed a safety hazard. Finally, this past weekend, it had to be cut down. According to the Associated Press, there was a poetry reading as part of the event. Some of the pieces of the tree were distributed to artisans for crafting; others went to a wood-fueled power plant.

There are plans for a new tree to be planted in the spring.

The Robert Frost Farm is now a National Historic Landmark, and is open to visitors. The farmhouse itself is only open for a few more days this season--the last day is Columbus Day. The grounds, however, are open year round. For more information, see the farm's web site at http://robertfrostfarm.org/visit.html.

Those of you who find most poetry too flowery may appreciate Frost's crisp, evocative style. You'll find "Tree at My Window" and many other Frost poems here in our adult nonfiction section. For a complete collection of his poems, check out "The Poetry of Robert Frost," edited by Edward Connery Lathem, found at 811 F.