THE HISTORIC TREES OF MASSACHUSETTS 



Essex County 



A "splendid old wreck of an elm" at North 

 Andover, known as the Hubbard Elm, is the 

 peer of Essex, and may be considered as 

 a strong contender for the title of the largest 

 elm now standing in Massachusetts. The 

 dimensions fall slightly below those of the 

 Rugg Elm, but if a distinction is made be- 

 tween elms having a single and those having 

 a double trunk, this tree possesses the largest 

 girth of them all. Though hollow it com- 

 mands the greatest admiration and wonder, 

 and its mighty abutments stretch out for 

 several feet on all sides, as if inviting the 

 beholder to step thereon and grasp the 

 deep- furrowed bark in a fond embrace! On 

 the ground about the tree lie several of the 

 once powerful limbs in varying stages of 

 decay where they have fallen. The complete 

 picture produces in the observer the keenest 

 of emotions, and he leaves it with regret, 

 knowing that the time will not be long during 

 which he may be permitted to gaze upon 

 so mighty an elm. The circumference is 

 twenty-four feet and five inches at breast 



