OT: 240-year-old Maine elm tree to finally be cut down

[MonteLukast]

Someone got to it on LBN first, but I had to put it here as well:

I wish I lived in Maine:

YARMOUTH, Maine — 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.

"Herbie" had been the oldest living American elm in all of New England-- 240 years. It had a height of 110 feet, a canopy of 120 feet and a girth of 20 feet.

Mr. Knight is 101 years old and had been looking after the tree for 50 years.

[wisteria]

1. What an amazing story. It is sad the tree is finally going to succumb to the decease

after so many years of being able to fight it off. Imagine the history that tree has lived through. I would like to see them continue to try and preserve the tree. But, if they really can't I would love to have a remembrance of it.
Oh, the video link is not working.

[MonteLukast]

2. Try this link

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/17517562

[wisteria]

3. Thanks. Nothing lasts forever, but... it doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye.

It is so evident that he loved that tree. I can understand that. I have a tree that everyone told me to get rid of because it wasn't going to make it. At one time it was dug up and placed on a truck for disposal and I made them take it out of the truck and replant it in another spot in my yard. That tree is so big and proud now, standing tall above everything around it. And, that tree has taught me to never give up on anything because you just never know.

[MonteLukast]

4. What a beautiful story.

I made them take it out of the truck and replant it in another spot in my yard. That tree is so big and proud now, standing tall above everything around it.

:loveya:

Looks like what it needed was a move to a more hospitable area. One where it couldn't hear the fatalistic pronouncements of those around it. Looks like its "happier place" paid off. :)

[MBS]

5. wonderful!

What a perfect start to my day. Lots of work pressures this week: your last sentence will help! I'll be thinking of you and your tree all week.
THANKS! :loveya: :loveya:

[wisteria]

6. Thank you both. n/t