Deadwood

The tree couldn't decide if it was dead or alive.

The bark was cracked and falling away in thick swaths near the base of the trunk, revealing a pale wood that was nearly rotted through.  All of the branches on the right side were dry and lifeless, gnarled and twisting black against the bright blue sky.  The branches on the left, however, had put forth dozens and dozens of tiny new twigs, all of which were struggling upwards towards that same sky, and beginning to fuzz with green.

Lady didn't know what to make of it, frankly.