Spring Awakens the Wise Old Cottonwood

‘Spring Awakens the Wise Old Cottonwood’ is Will Crower’s 2018 rendition of an enormous Plains Cottonwood tree (Populus deltiodes occidentalis)... more

by William Crower

Buy the Original Painting

Price

$300

Dimensions

10.000 x 20.000 x 0.625 inches

Title

Spring Awakens the Wise Old Cottonwood

Artist

William Crower

Medium

Painting - Acrylic On Canvas

Description

‘Spring Awakens the Wise Old Cottonwood’ is Will Crower’s 2018 rendition of an enormous Plains Cottonwood tree (Populus deltiodes occidentalis) that grows today along the canal that runs right behind Will’s townhouse in the suburbs of Denver. While Cottonwoods may not live very long compared to others trees (the average life span is just 70 years), the sheer size of this one indicates that it is likely older than that, probably closer to 90 years old, and nearing the end of it’s life. On his first walk along the canal many years ago, Will noticed the unique shape of this tree, and he noted the thick grey bark which contained deep furrows along the entire trunk. It reminded him of the wrinkled skin of a wise elder, and from that moment on, the tree had been named.
Will has continued watching the Wise Old Cottonwood grow over the last 19 years. It has been a home for many local squirrels and birds throughout the years. Even today it contains six nests of different sizes, so the old tree is still providing shelter for local residents of the ‘wildlife variety.’ The tree suffered damage in several wind and hail storms over the last two decades, but it has continued reaching upwards an estimated 70 feet into the sky. Will’s dog, Luka, and many other dogs in the area have chosen this tree as a favorite marking spot on daily walks. It’s no wonder, as the tree is certainly more impressive than any fire hydrant to be found on the planet.
One Spring evening just before sunset, Will snapped a photo from the base of the tree, looking up the trunk and into it’s massive tangle of branches above. That photo, showing the bark of the tree in the golden glow of the setting sun, inspired Will to do this painting. It captured a truly golden moment in time, as another day came to an end for the Wise Old Cottonwood in Westminster.

Uploaded

April 15th, 2018