Logger Protects Tree for Decades, Will Be Buried in a Coffin Made From It

Frank Knight of Yarmouth, Maine

103-Year-Old Man to Be Buried in Coffin From the Tree He Protected

Here's a heart-warming piece with shades of a Shel Silverstein story come to life.

Professional logger Frank Knight, who spent decades protecting a tree in Maine, died over the weekend at age 103.

His legacy with the 217-year-old elm tree won't be forgotten, however, as he'll be buried in a casket carved from the elm nicknamed "Herbie."

Read: Amazing Story of Disabled Vet Who Transforms Life with Yoga

"Herbie," New England's oldest known American elm tree, suffered Dutch elm disease, but obviously lived a long life with Knight protecting it.

Knight served as the "tree warden" in Yarmouth, Maine, where he helped see Herbie through 14 cases of Dutch elm disease. Workers pruned Herbie's diseased limbs over the years, beginning in 1956.

Despite his long life, however, Herbie couldn't live forever, and, in January 2010, it finally collapsed.

Knight told The Associated Press at the time, "His time has come. And mine is about due, too."

His friend, Deb Hopkins, told the Portland Press Herald Maine, "Herbie was the apple of his eye. He was passionate about that one tree because it was so beautiful."

His son, Dick Knight added, "Frank cared for Herbie for 52 years, and now Herbie will care for Frank forever."

Watch: Surfer Rides 78-Foot Wave Off Portugal Coast (Video)

What do you think of this final tribute to Knight and this real-life story of man and nature?