The New Roots Youth Garden always called this tree the “Learning Tree”. It was the place where staff and students gathered to classes and training events for the garden club. Members always felt that with its age and experience, it could provide them with sage advice as well as much needed summer shade.
During the summer of 2016, garden staff noticed that the tree was beginning to show signs of disease. New Roots had it evaluated, however it continued to deteriorate ultimately becoming unsafe. They made they hard decision to have it taken down.
Marshalls Tree Service did the work, and saved 12 feet of the trunk and a few extra pieces that New Roots plans to utilize in the garden. “Our hopes are to use some of the big tree stump pieces for seats and tables. And the longer pieces to be made into benches or tables with the trunk itself being carved into the tree symbol in the NRYG logo,” said Tammy Holloway, President of New Roots Youth Garden. “Our goal is to have the stump of the great ole’ gal to still remain our “Learning Tree” area.”
New Roots is currently seeking folks with unique woodworking skills to help design and build the benches and tables.
At the last town council meeting, Tammy Holloway addressed council and thanked the town for their attention to this safety concern, as well as shared intentions for the removed pieces of the tree. Former Chief of Police and current town council member “Sambo” Brown said, “this great ole’ gal used to be natures GPS as it guided fishermen on the water of where the harbor was.”
While saddened at the loss of the tree, Holloway told the Mirror, “We look forward to many more years of “Learning” and “Growing” at the New Roots Youth Garden.”
At New Roots, there is always something to do, and they need help in many ways; hands on at the weekly garden club, site work, fundraising help and by making a donation.”
Contact NRYG at helpnewrootsyouthgarden@gmail.com 757-414-7188 . Follow them on FB for up to date happenings in the garden.
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This was a pretty healthy tree and only showed signs of deterioration over the past year. Do we know what killed it? Could it have been saved?