How my Backyard Maple Saved my Life

I can't remember my exact age - I think I was either 6 or 7 at the time and me and my brother would always climb the tree in my backyard. This maple was (and still is) the perfect climbing tree. It has a natural stepping stool and the perfect branches to grab, climb or relax.

One day, when my brother and I were climbing, I made it up about 12 feet in the tree. I missed my foot placement and fell from a branch. Luckily, the tree had a branch in the shape of a "Y" and it caught my leg on my decent. I was stuck hanging upside down by my thigh, and I remember my brother calling for help. At the time, my neighbours had a contractor working on their backyard and I vividly remember this man jumping the fence, running over and helping my down from the tree.

I can only imagine what could have happened to me if that branch didn't catch my leg. Potentially head and neck injuries for sure.

This is a memory I will never forget and that tree will always be an important part of my childhood.