Posted on 01/10/2010 8:05:22 AM PST by Daffynition
The massive elm tree that shaded the corner of East Main Street and Yankee Drive was sick. Like so many others in so many of America's towns in the 1950s, it was stricken with Dutch elm disease.
Tree warden Frank Knight was so smitten with the tree that he couldn't bear to cut it down. After all, it had been standing sentinel in this New England village since before the American Revolution.
Over the next half-century, Knight carefully nursed the tree, spraying for pests and pruning away the dreaded fungus, even as the town's other elms died by the dozens. As he succeeded, the stately tree's branches reached 110 feet skyward, its leaves rustling in summer breezes off the Royal River and its heavy limbs shouldering winter snowfalls.
The tree, nicknamed Herbie and acclaimed as the tallest and oldest elm in New England, survived 14 bouts of Dutch elm disease in all, thanks to Knight's devotion.
Now the disease ravages again and Herbie is too weak to fight back. Knight, now 101, said there's nothing else he can do to save the tree he's watched over for five decades.
"He's an old friend," Knight said, speaking with passion while gazing up at the tree just before Christmas. "I love that tree. There's no question. And I feel so proud that we kept him for so long."
Herbie, estimated to be about 240 years old, will be cut down Jan. 18. Knight, consulted by tree experts who made the decision, is resigned that the end has come.
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.com ...
Sounds like Herbie’s toast dude.
The "Treaty Elm" — In what is now Penn Treaty Park, the founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn, is said to have entered into a treaty of peace with native Indians under a picturesque elm tree immortalized in a painting by Benjamin West. West made the tree, already a local landmark, famous by incorporating it into his painting after hearing legends (of unknown veracity) about the tree being the location of the treaty
A reverence for all that came before us is a good thing.
"It's been cut about 13 times because of disease, but it was such a beautiful tree," said Knight. "There were some bigger, but none more beautiful, with that nice straight trunk."
Knight thinks it's funny that stories about him and Herbie make him look like "the biggest tree lover."
Having been a pulpwood dealer and a woodlot owner, Knight said, he probably "has taken down more trees than anyone in Maine."
But there's at least one tree that he won't watch come down. He doesn't plan to be on hand for Herbie's last day.
"No," he said, "I don't need to see that."
The elm has tremendously strong wood. If the tree is properly logged out and the wood/lumber used for a significant purpose, then it can still remain a significant memorial to the city.
Otherwise they can fight over who gets the firewood.
NEW YORK, Jan. 9 (UPI) — A 70-year-old Norway spruce, this year’s Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York, is to return to Connecticut as lumber for affordable homes.
The tree, almost 80 feet high, was taken down Thursday night and cut up by a milling machine Friday, the Stamford Advocate reported. The wood is to be used in an eight-unit condominium being built by Habitat for Humanity in Stamford.
Iveth Bowie, who is to occupy one of the condos, came to New York to watch.
“It’s like Christmas continues shining in my house,” Bowie said. “It’s so beautiful that this has a place in my house.”
Torsilieri Inc. of Far Hills, N.J., took the tree down and cut off the branches to be fed into a wood-chipper to make surfacing for nature trails. The trunk was cut into sections before being sawed into planks.
This year’s tree was donated by Maria Corti of Easton, Conn. Rockefeller Center has contributed trees to Habitat for Humanity for the past three years.
The legend of the Charter Oak plays a significant role in the history of Connecticut's Constitutional government. In 1662, a "Royal Charter" was granted by the English King Charles II to the colonists of Connecticut which gave them rights which were unique to the newly founded colony.
Twenty-five years later, James II ordered his agents to seize the Charter. Spirited colonists hid the document in a majestic oak on the Wylls estate in Hartford. The tree came to be known as the "Charter Oak" and was a landmark of Connecticut until it toppled in a storm in 1856.
I think, if possible, that part of Herbie should be dried, and fashioned into a casket.
Then, when the time arises, two friends will be joined again.
I'm reminded of the stories of how long-married couples die within minutes and days of each other.
Knight's wife died of cancer 15 years ago. It will be interesting to see how he holds out. His has been quite a remarkable hobby.
Route 88 Road to Close on January 18 and 19 for Tree Work
.. . . . "His time has come," Knight said. "And mine is about due, too." Knight, who uses a walker, jokes that his secret to a long life is raw spinach and beer, which he has each day for lunch. He rides a stationary bike for a mile each day, as well. He admits that he doesn't understand his own longevity any more than he understands Herbie's. Knight's father died when he was 3, his mother when he was 4. . . . . ..
Herbie in Winter (Photo by Randy Billmeier)
Very fitting
Herbie won’t be hauled to the woodpile.
Instead, his remains will be kiln-dried in a mill. He’ll eventually be transformed into salad bowls, Christmas ornaments and furniture. The total cost of his removal will be about $20,000.
A committee overseen by the new tree warden, Deb Hopkins, has been deciding how to divvy up Herbie’s remains. Some of the wood will go to local artisans. Some will be auctioned, with part of the proceeds going to the town tree trust. Eventually, Hopkins hopes to build the tree fund to $200,000, with some being used to plant disease-resistant elms.
we have 600 year old live oaks here in Louisiana and i’d be heartbroken to see them die of a disease.
Very sad, but the Creator knows what he’s doing.
By herbie, you had a good run
That was a nice looking tree.
Thank you, Daffynition.
I read the whole article, and understand its import.
However, my suggestion would only take a small portion of the wood, and be a fitting end-use for Herbie.
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