A Fl'LL ViKVV OF THE BENEDICT ElM. 



LARGEST ELM IN CONNECTICUT 



By Norman de W. Betts 



IOCAL tradition has it that the 

 Benedict Ehii in the township of 

 J Wihon, Fairfield County, is now 



the largest elm in the State of 

 Connecticut. The circimiference meas- 

 ured on January 1, 1915, at about four 

 and a half feet from the ground was 

 14 feet, ll/<4 inches. The spread was 

 paced in the direction of the highway 

 which it borders and was estimated 

 to be 105 feet. The trmik, as is shown 

 in the photographs, soon breaks up 

 into a great number of large branches 



which in turn form a very symmetrical 

 and imposing crown. 



In a State noted for its elms, it would 

 be of interest to know how large these 

 veteran shade trees have grown. It 

 might be wise to put on record the 

 descriptions of some of the grandest 

 among them before insects and fungi 

 have brought them down. Perhaps 

 there are other Connecticut elms that 

 ha^'e local traditions; where is the 

 largest specimen of this splendid 

 tree ? 



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