Balmville Tree

Infobox_nrhp | name = Balmville Tree


caption = The Balmville Tree, with guying visible.
location = Balmville, New York
nearest_city = Newburgh
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 31
lat_seconds = 57
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 74
long_minutes = 00
long_seconds = 43
long_direction = W
built = began growing at least 1699
added = 2000
governing_body = New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic PreservationThe Balmville Tree is an old-growth Eastern cottonwood growing at the intersection of River Road, Balmville Road and Commonwealth Avenue in Balmville, New York. It is the oldest tree of that species in the Eastern United States.Severo, Richard; August 14, 2003; [http://www.championtrees.org/champions/cottonwoodeasternNY.htm New York Champion] championtrees.org; retrieved August 14, 2006 (Text here is also found on plaques near the tree). ]

It was thought at first to be a rare Balm of Gilead tree, and lent that name to the surrounding community.

History

Local folklore has it that the tree grew when George Washington planted his walking stick while he and the Continental Army were encamped in nearby Newburgh during the final years of the Revolutionary War.Dowd, Joe; August 26, 2005; [http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/08/26/cover26.htm Folk Tales of the Mid-Hudson] , "Times-Herald Record"; retrieved August 13, 2006] But core samples of the tree have dated its growth to 1699, well before American independence. Franklin Roosevelt often came to visit the tree.

In the mide 20th century it began to suffer the effects of its advanced age and vandalism. In the mid-1970s arborists recommended that it be removed as a traffic hazard. However, community groups led by Richard Severo, whose house overlooked the tree, were able to save it, citing its historic value.

It has thus received considerable protection from the state and federal governments. An elaborate guy-wire system and adjacent metal pole help support it, and it and the small patch of land on which it sits are protected, both by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as a historic site and by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a "public historic park" or state forest [http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/regs/part193a.html Part 193.2] , NYSDEC regulations.] , making it New York's smallest at 348 square feet (31 m²) in area. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/NY/Orange/state.html List of National Register of Historic Places] for Orange County, New York.]

Measurements

It is 25 feet (7.6 m) in circumference at its base and 83 feet (25 m) high. It once reached as high as 110 feet (33. 5 m), but its crown had to be trimmed after extensive damage from Hurricane Floyd in 1999.Hall, Wayne; October 6, 2000; [http://www.th-record.com/archive/2000/10/06/whtree.htm Balmville Tree risks limb to save life] ; "Times-Herald Record"; retrieved August 14, 2006]

References

External links

* [http://www.newburghrevealed.org/balmville.htm Balmville] at newburghrevealed.org