Saying Goodbye to the Cedars

For nearly two decades, three towering cedar trees stood watch over the studio grounds—strong, sheltering, and full of life. They weren’t just trees. They were home.

Owls nested in their branches. Squirrels darted from limb to limb. They offered precious afternoon shade for our goats and chickens in the summer heat. They were silent sentinels during photoshoots, offering a backdrop that changed with the light and the seasons.

On Friday night, during a long stretch of rain, I watched as one of those beloved trees gently laid herself down. There was no dramatic crash—just a quiet surrender to the soaked earth. And with her fall, it became clear that the remaining two may not be far behind.

In front of the grove stand my Board of Directors—Tony, Avanti, and Chili—unaware of the heartache behind them, but always ready to model for the camera. That photo now feels like a keepsake, a final portrait of the cedars standing tall together.