Two old apple trees grow across from each other by the path that leads to the Shaker village in Hancock, MA. Under each tree is a red wooden bench. The benches face each other and the path. I am almost certain that men and women used both benches, just not at the same time. Shaker brothers and Shaker sisters were allowed to look at each other, but not to share the same bench. The branches of the apple trees now both carry fruit. Both trees share a single crown. Their branches are intertwined. Both trees seem identical. Both benches seem identical. They seem like two benches under the same united tree.