In loving memory of "Spruce Willis," Norway spruce, 2021–2026.

Spruce Willis lived with me for five good years, then left without explanation. No dramatic yellowing, no pests caught red-handed — just a slow fade, like he lost interest.

Cause of death: Unknown. The hardest kind. I'd like to say we had a talk, but we didn't.

Favorite memory: That second spring when he pushed all that bright new growth and I thought, okay, we've figured each other out.

Lesson learned: When you don't know why, write it all down anyway — where he sat, how you watered, when you last repotted. The next spruce deserves your best guess.

Survived by the empty spot on the bench that still looks wrong, and by me, still a beginner after 30 years.