Spring and Small Mysteries

A light rain is falling - the first in over a week.  After a February and March that brought the worst flooding in decades, to say nothing of the snow and ice, April has been dry.  Even so, all the trees are out, dogwoods in full bloom, maples in leaf, and our lilacs are just about to open.  The new house behind us to the right has disappeared in the opening foliage.  But nothing can help the maple tree in the front yard across the street.  It was dying when we moved here a few years ago, and this spring it is just plain dead: not a bud or blossom or leaf showing anywhere; only bark peeling from the upper limbs.  We have wondered why the owner has not had it cut down, since he is trying to sell his house, and the tree really detracts from its looks and value.  Strangely, it is one of the few trees on our street that the local utility did not bother to trim in its recent pass through - even though a number of the now-dead branches embrace the power lines.