By HEATHER PYLES, Staff Writer
Somerset — For 28 years, the pine tree grew. And every Christmas until their two sons were grown, Joelyn and the late Jerry Prather would stop by their tree to observe its progress.
“It had sentimental feelings for us,” Joelyn Prather said.
The couple got the idea to plant a Christmas tree on the property of their first house in 1980.
“We just thought it would be a neat way to celebrate his first Christmas by having a live tree,” Joelyn said, about their decision to plant the tree for their first son Jay’s first Christmas.
The tree wasn’t planted until February 1981, after the ground had finally thawed enough to allow the couple to plant the tree in their yard in Maplewood Subdivision. Joelyn and Jerry would have another son, Joel, and every year they would celebrate another Christmas with their children alongside the ever-growing tree.
And when it came time for the family to move, they decided to place a clause in the property deed that would allow them to visit the tree.
“Our Realtor laughed and said ‘I’ve never had anybody to put a clause that they can come back and visit a tree,’” Joelyn said.
Once the couple’s two children grew up, their many visits to the beloved tree thinned, with a majority of those visits being drive-bys to check on the growth of the tree that had found its place into a family’s heart.
But on Monday morning, Joelyn was surprised to see a City of Somerset crew gathered around the tree. Curious, she drove on, only to return to her home, located only a block away from where the tree stood, to see that it was gone.
“My heart just jumped out of my chest when I saw the tree was gone,” she said.
Joelyn would soon receive a phone call from property owner Ralph Rutherford, who explained to her that he felt the tree had reached its peak. The sentimental treasure had endured its fair share of cold winters and harsh summer storms. The branches are heavy with age.
The tree was moved to the Fountain Square, the center of the county and the city for this year’s holiday festivities.
Rutherford told Joelyn that he thought the time had come to allow a whole city and county enjoy its beauty — and story.
“It can have a last little celebration and everyone can enjoy it,” Joelyn said.
