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Maine man who cared for famed old tree dies at 103
AP ^ | May 14, 2012 | David Sharp

Posted on 05/15/2012 7:52:20 AM PDT by Daffynition

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Frank Knight's decades-long battle to save New England's tallest elm served as an inspiring tale of devotion, so it is fitting that he will be laid to rest in a coffin made from the tree he made famous.

Knight, who died Monday at 103, had affectionately referred to the 217-year-old elm nicknamed Herbie as "an old friend." The massive tree succumbed to Dutch elm disease and was cut down two years ago.

Wood from the tree was made into a casket, a secret that was kept from Knight.

(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...


TOPICS: Gardening; History; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: frankknight; maine
FR thread about Herbie and Knight [January 10, 2010]


1 posted on 05/15/2012 7:52:25 AM PDT by Daffynition
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To: gigster

You were prophetic! Knight and Herbie are joined. The circle is complete.

www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2425172/posts#12


2 posted on 05/15/2012 7:55:44 AM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: Daffynition

Sweet story. Thanks for posting.


3 posted on 05/15/2012 7:58:10 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Thank you. We can learn a lot from their relationahip.


4 posted on 05/15/2012 8:03:00 AM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: Daffynition

A touching story of a noble deed. There is nothing more beautiful than an elm tree. We are fortunate to have several huge, magnificent specimens in our town. God keep you, Frank. I hope there are trees in heaven.


5 posted on 05/15/2012 8:11:57 AM PDT by ottbmare (The OTTB Mare)
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To: ottbmare; blam
Perhaps if *we* thought more about trees and their importance to our lives, we'd spend less time fretting over politics. :)

Herbie, was estimated to be about 240 years old...wonder what Mr. Knight would be in *tree years*, if there was such a thing.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917591/posts

I like this story b/c it shows what one person can do without the help of the government.

6 posted on 05/15/2012 8:58:39 AM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: Daffynition

RIP.


7 posted on 05/15/2012 1:55:36 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (If you like lying Socialist dirtbags, you'll love Slick Willard)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

It’s fitting that Herbie will take care of Mr. Knight now.


8 posted on 05/15/2012 2:29:02 PM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: Daffynition

I can’t believe that this actually happened. I sent an e-mail to the tree society suggesting that this would be a fitting tribute to them both. I would like to think that I may have contributed in a small way to that decision. Thank you for notifying me of the outcome. This is one of the reasons that I love FR.


9 posted on 05/16/2012 1:58:59 AM PDT by gigster (Cogito, Ergo, Ronaldus Magnus Conservatus)
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To: Daffynition

When I was a kid we had elms lining the streets and I picked chestnuts with my dad, all gone now.


10 posted on 05/16/2012 2:11:19 AM PDT by this_ol_patriot
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To: this_ol_patriot

From wiki: **New Haven, Connecticut, had the first public tree planting program in America, producing a canopy of mature trees (including some large elms) that gave New Haven the nickname “The Elm City”.[54] This later gave rise to the Yale song, Neath the Elms.**

Most are gone now in my homestate. Elm are magnificent.

I believe we have a FReeper who is involved with the restoration of the American Chestnut...unfortunately, I can’t recall who that person is. :(


11 posted on 05/16/2012 5:11:25 AM PDT by Daffynition (Our forefathers would be shooting by now.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks Daffynition.


12 posted on 05/16/2012 10:11:58 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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