'Guardians of the Galaxy' Star Chris Pratt Shares Touching Tribute to a Tree's Life

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt recently had to deal with a dying tree and the way he handled it would make Groot proud.

The Star-Lord actor posted to his Instagram today a series of photos about a 181-year-old Douglas Fir on his farm which, sadly, was struck by lightning and had begun to rot. However, instead of leaving the tree to become what he called "bug food", Pratt saw an opportunity to give the tree a new life and legacy -- as a table his family will enjoy for generations to come.

Jack and I share a moment of appreciation on the last day of this amazing tree’s life. Born in 1837 (the same year as “Wild Bill” Hickok!!!) She lived through the civil war, both world wars, the San Juan Island Pig war and more. Mother Nature struck her down. Now this first generation Douglas Fir will be made into beloved pieces of art, mantles and a table from which my family will enjoy moments and meals for, God willing, many generations. I live for moments like these. #farmlife

A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Jul 13, 2018 at 8:55pm PDT

"Jack and I share a moment of appreciation on the last day of this amazing tree's life," Pratt captioned one of the photos. "Born in 1837 (the same year as 'Wild Bill' Hickok!!!) She lived through the civil war, both world wars, the San Juan Island Pig war and more. Mother Nature struck her down. Now this first generation Douglas Fir will be made into beloved pieces of art, mantles and a table from which my family will enjoy moments and meals for, God willing, many generations. I live for moments like these."

A second photo shared showed Pratt helping to cut the tree into slabs so that the wood could be shipped to Pratt's Parks and Recreation co-star Nick Offerman's woodshop to be turned into "the dopest table in history fit for a family of Vikings".

Another extraordinary day at the farm!! Today we cut down this gorgeous old growth Douglas Fir. 181 years old!! She was struck by lightning and her top had begun to rot. So instead of becoming bug food she’ll be made into furniture for my house in LA! We used a chainsaw mill to cut 5” thick x 20’ long slabs which will be shipped to @nickofferman ‘s wood shop in LA where he will Ron Swanson the hell out of it and make me the dopest table in history fit for a family of Vikings!!! #farmlife #KeAkua

A post shared by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Jul 13, 2018 at 8:43pm PDT

While it is sad to see any old growth tree come down, Pratt's tribute to the tree is a touching one and will likely remind many fans of his outlook on the fate of Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. Earlier this year, the question of whether the young Groot featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Avengers: Infinity War was a new Groot or the original sentient tree-like being heated up again and at the time, Pratt had a very intellectual take on the question.

"It's a little like this, how I look at it and of course James would be the guy to ask, but how I've always seen it and I think it falls in line with that is I am a father," Pratt told FOX 5 DC. "I have a son. I can be gone one day, but my flesh will still live on. It'll live on through my son. Granted, I share genetics with my son's mom, but with Groot he's like an asexual being so he continues to move on, but it is its own life defined by a birth and a death of its own."

What do you think about Pratt's tribute to the Douglas Fir? Let us know your thoughts in comments.

Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp are in theaters now. They will be followed by Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019, the fourth Avengers movie on May 3, 2019, Spider-Man: Far From Home on July 5, 2019, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2020.