566 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



Giant Elm Falls 



To the record of losses caused by the terrific storm of 

 Sunday afternoon, June 11, must be added the fall- 

 ing of the gfiant elm at Middlctown, Connecticut. The 

 picture and facts regarding the tree have been sent 

 American Forestry by Mr. C. K. Dechard, of Meriden, 

 who informs us that as the tree had been showing signs 

 of instability for some time, the owner had arranged 

 to have it taken down on Monday, June 12th, the day 

 after the wind did the job. It was one of the largest 

 elms in the country and located in the Westfield district, 

 Middletown, Connecticut. The trunk measured 18 feet 

 in circumference six feet above the ground and 23 feet 

 2 inches where the first limbs commenced to branch out. 



said by the older people of Middletown that it was proba- 

 bly built about the year 1766, as it was customary at 

 the time for a young man to provide a house upon taking 

 a wife. 



The house near which it stood was built by John Wil- 

 cox, who was born in Middletown January 15, 1740. 

 and who married Eunice Norton October 16, 1766. 



It is said in the neighborhood that when the site was 

 being cleared and the house had been .staked out some- 

 one said "don't cut down that young elm (which was 

 growing about twenty-five or thirty feet from the pros- 

 pective house), that will make a fine shade tree." So the 

 tree was left undisturbed. In later years, when the 

 house had passed into other hands after the death of 

 the original owner, the tree was fenced about to protect 

 it. It is regrettable that a photograph of the standing 

 tree in its greatest state of perfection was not made, as 

 a matter of record. 



THE FALLEN GIANT 



The tree fell to the east, completely across the highway, effec- 

 tively blocking it, and it was several days before the town au- 

 thorities succeeded in clearing the road. 



An examination of the root masses shows the roots to 

 have entirely disintegrated with the exception of one cor- 

 ner, and it really seems a wonder the tree stood as long 

 as it did. 



While there are no records showing the exact date 

 of the building of the house near which it stood, it is 



'T'HE Forest Products Laboratory of the Forest Serv- 

 * ice. United States Department of Agriculture, was 

 recently called upon to test wooden crates that would 

 be satisfactory for carrying Army aircraft bombs. 

 Seven types of crate were tried in the experiment and 

 one type was evolved that would not only carry 300- 

 pound bombs, but also 1300-pound bombs. 

 o 



SONG OF THE TREE DOCTOR 



Mary planted a little tree. 



It flourished like a weed, 

 And she became quite Poplar 



For her noble deed. 



One day the tree began to Pine 



Kept Mary up all night, 

 Applying Balm of Gilead, 



To save it from the blight. 



And when her Dogwood bark. 



She would Balsam and cry : 

 "Spruce up! Spruce up! Beech Cherry, 



Sweet Apple of my eye!" 



But the tree was Plum discouraged ; 



A Gum had checked its heart. 

 So with a rustling of the leaves 



Its spirit did depart. 



Then Mary drank the Hemlock 

 She could not bear the blow 



And now the Pear are sleeping 

 Under the sad Willow. 



Though this tale may be a Chestnut 

 There's a lesson here Fir Yew ; 



When you go to raising timber, 

 First learn just what to do. 



(,Repniited.) 



