THE HISTORIC TREES OF MASSACHUSETTS 



naturalist — at least if we are to judge 

 from the number of times he is reported to 

 have rested under great trees. 



The elms at HoIIiston were planted about 

 the year 1747. They may have been six or 

 seven feet in circumference during Washing- 

 ton's time, and were probably approaching 

 the size of second-class elms when Governor 

 Lincoln first noticed them. They seem to 

 have escaped the attention of those who 

 would have given them a place in Hterature 

 — as suggested in the following newspaper 

 clipping from the Framingham Tribune in 

 possession of Col. G. A. Flagg of HoHiston. 



Editor of the Tribune: 



There are two elm trees in HoIIiston which should be classed 

 among the big trees of the state. 



I have seen no mention of them in any account of the famous 

 trees of Massachusetts. They are situated on the Main street 

 between Holhston and East HoIHston, in front of what is known 

 as the Col. Whiting place, now owned by Mr. Flagg. We made 

 an accurate measurement of them to-day. The smallest meas- 

 ures one foot from the ground, nineteen feet in circumference, 

 four feet from the ground, sixteen feet in circumference. 



The shape of this tree is something remarkable. The trunk 

 is almost square, having four sides. Three of the sides measure 

 about five feet each. 



The larger of the two trees measures, one foot from the 

 ground, twenty-four feet, the large roots spreading outward. 

 Four feet from the ground it measures seventeen feet in cir- 

 cumference. The trees appear perfectly sound, and the branches 



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