We had a somewhat similar event in Pennsylvania recently, although the result of natural forces. An old oak known as one of the very few remaining “Penn Oaks” (having stood since the time that Penn founded the Commonwealth) toppled this month of its own age. People would come from a distance to visit this tree. It is about three miles from my parents’ farm. The local community is lamenting, as every person alive who had ever been to that Friends Meeting for a function (community events in addition to services) would have seen that tree. Its size was inescapable, and it feels like history has been taken away from us with its fall. Even my earliest ancestors in Pennsylvania who were Friends and members of that Meeting (two of whom are buried there) would have known that tree in the mid-Eighteenth Century.
Yes. It was known to have issues for a while. General consensus is that the rotted roots finally gave way as you note from the picture. It probably could not have been saved at this point. One of the premier botanical gardens in the world (and a world-renowned research facility in its own right) Longwood Gardens is nearby, so there was no want of skilled human help. It simply succumbed to age.
I had an English Lit professor at college who described himself as the last centurion standing on Hadrian’s Wall as he looks down to find the villagers have flung open the gates and are merrily trading with the vandals.
We had a somewhat similar event in Pennsylvania recently, although the result of natural forces. An old oak known as one of the very few remaining “Penn Oaks” (having stood since the time that Penn founded the Commonwealth) toppled this month of its own age. People would come from a distance to visit this tree. It is about three miles from my parents’ farm. The local community is lamenting, as every person alive who had ever been to that Friends Meeting for a function (community events in addition to services) would have seen that tree. Its size was inescapable, and it feels like history has been taken away from us with its fall. Even my earliest ancestors in Pennsylvania who were Friends and members of that Meeting (two of whom are buried there) would have known that tree in the mid-Eighteenth Century.
https://6abc.com/amp/historic-tree-chester-county-400-years-old-william-penn/13811055/
Amazing tree! That is sad indeed. But at least it wasn't desecrated. It looks like the roots were quite shallow or maybe had dried out?
And yes -- thankful that no desecration. So much harder to take, as you are experiencing.
Yes. It was known to have issues for a while. General consensus is that the rotted roots finally gave way as you note from the picture. It probably could not have been saved at this point. One of the premier botanical gardens in the world (and a world-renowned research facility in its own right) Longwood Gardens is nearby, so there was no want of skilled human help. It simply succumbed to age.
I had an English Lit professor at college who described himself as the last centurion standing on Hadrian’s Wall as he looks down to find the villagers have flung open the gates and are merrily trading with the vandals.
Oh and that teenager obviously wasn’t given enough seats when he was younger.
Wonderful reflection. I must read Ovid once again. This reminded me that it has been far too long.