And no that’s not a spelling mistake. Here is the story of a tree that fell into the sea. Literally. The famous ‘Beach Tree’ at Praa Sands fell onto the beach as the cliff eroded during the winter storms of 2013/2014 and has since inspired a poem and a children’s story book. So sudden was the cliff erosion, that the tree fell roots-first, landing upright in the sand which covers a layer of ancient peat at Praa Sands so it looks as though it is growing on the beach. The poem is written on a piece of driftwood attached to the tree, now also degrading in the elements.

The Beach Tree

Once I stood so proud above this sea,
Majestic, green and proud to be,
The tallest magnificent old garden tree.

I watched for months as the storms got stronger,
Until my roots could hold no longer,
Day by day more cliff gave away,
I was moving closer towards the bay.

I rocked and swayed like never before,
I could feel myself heading towards the shore,
The garden I left was to be no more.

In came the wave that crashed overhead,
And down I slid towards the sea bed,
Refusing to fall I ended upright,
The sand round my roots wedging me in so tight.

Touching the cliff I held on so hard,
Now here’s where I stand still proud, but scarred,
My bark has come off and my leaves have all gone,
But I am again that proud tree that is still hanging on

~ by beach bum