Goodbye tree

The silk lilac tree outside the yard, which never came back to life this year, was removed today.

Ivory Silk Lilac Tree 95% dead -- what happened??

Very strange.  I thought it was just slow in getting the leaves due to the cool/rainy spring we had, but then looking at all the other trees whose leaves are in full swing -- nope, mine is 95% dead.  There are a few random small leaves here and there but even those don't look healthy.  I wonder what happened?  The only thing I can think of is maybe something happened last year with the road work.

Hopefully it doesn't get removed until a new one is ready to go in, as it's being visited by a good number of birds throughout the day despite there being no birdfeeder.

House finch couple

The lilac tree out front (which is now 95% dead) has been frequented the last few days by a house finch couple.  Nice birds; the male seems pretty brave, doesn't fly away when I go out.  I think they're making a nest in the top of the neighbour's cedar bush thing.

I've had no birdfeeders up for several months so it's nice that birds still come around even without food.  I did set up the bird bath last week but haven't seen anyone in it yet.

Goldfinches eating seeds from the Ivory Silk Lilac tree out front!

Wow, the goldfinches are sure having a party around here these days -- five different foods inside or in front of my yard!

- lilac tree seeds

- wild primrose seeds

- purple coneflower seeds

- sunflower seeds from the one remaining plant

- sunflower seeds from the feeder

Ivory Silk Lilac Tree is what's out front of the house

At least, based on the tag of another same-looking tree just down the sidewalk.  

"Ivory Silk Lilac Tree -- Syringa reticulata Ivory Silk -- Full Sun -- Zone 3 -- H: 8m -- W: 5m -- Creamy white large size flowers in May-June, disease resistant"

(This is the tree that was planted ~3-4 years ago, that the song sparrow is often in this year.)