A VETERAN GIANT OF ELMS 



BY R. S. MADDOX 



NEW ENGLAND is noted for her elms, and well 

 she may boast of their magnificence. But thanks to 

 the bountifulness of nature there is no particular 

 monopoly on elm tree growth. 



At Kingsport, Sullivan County, Tennessee, on the 

 holdings of the Kingsport Farms, Inc., of which Mr. J. 

 Fred Johnson is president, are some of the most magnifi- 

 cent elms in the country. Some were set out probably 

 one hundred years ago on residence sites and others are 

 growing where they happened to start. One of these 

 elms is shown in the accompanying picture. It is near 

 the water's edge of the north fork of the Holston 

 River near Kingsport, Tennessee. Decades ago, in 

 1790, I believe, a company of Frenchmen traveling 

 through this section of the State camped at dif- 

 ferent places, making a record of their trip and 



THE BEAUTIFUL KINGSPORT ELM 



Not only a magnificent specimen but one with a most artistic setting 

 beside the old brick silk mill on the Holston River. 



noting objects of particular interest. In writing of 

 some of his observations after returning to France, 

 one of the men mentioned particularly a wonderful elm 

 and spring, the spring flowing from the roots of the elm, 

 which description fits this magnificent old tree. He also 

 is said to have given the measurement of this elm as 22 

 feet in circumference. The circumference of the spread- 

 ing elm tree here shown is 2$]/ 2 feet today, taking the 



measurement a foot from the ground on the uphill side. 

 The elm and spring described by the Frenchman are 

 in all likelihood the same as that on the farm of 2,300 

 acres now owned by the Kingsport Farms, Inc. The tree 

 has a very symmetrically shaped crown and pendant 

 lower limbs, with a spread which some have estimated at 

 about 150 feet. If in 1790 this tree was 22 feet in cir- 

 cumference and 

 is now 25^ as 

 above stated, the 

 p r o b a bility is 

 that it is more 

 than four hun- 

 dred years old. 

 This magnifi- 

 cent old tree 

 through a mis- 

 fortune of its 

 own brought it- 

 self into promi- 

 nence recently. 

 During the sum- 

 mer its foliage 

 was attacked by 

 red spider and a 

 fungus which 

 defoliated it se- 

 verely. During 

 August a second 

 crop of leaves 

 began to put out 

 and they are re- 

 ported to have 

 been attacked in 

 the same way. 

 Every effort has 

 been made to get the tree sprayed but without success 

 to date, and although late in the season it will be sprayed 

 if it can be done within reason. Incidentally, an interest- 

 ing feature of the landscape connected with the old elm 

 is the building shown in the background. This old brick 

 structure shows the remains of one of the first, if not 

 the first, silk mill that was put up in Tennessee, if not in 

 the entire South. Its builder and operator was Frederick 

 K. Ross, who came originally from Virginia. 



COMPARISONS ENLIGHTEN 



This near view of the great elm gives a very 

 comprehensive idea of its massive proportions. 



CHANGE OF ADDRESS 



It is urgently requested that all changes of address, whether temporary or permanent, 

 be sent in promptly. 



Both the old and new address must always be given. 



Such co-operation will be helpful in avoiding the loss of magazines. 



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