Although we often take them for granted, trees are an important fixture of life. They make our surroundings more beautiful, provide shelter and food for wildlife, and are an important natural resource. Here in New England, impressive trees are a fact of life. We love our big, beautiful trees! They line our streets, shade our yards, color the autumn, and dot our historic town greens. It’s no wonder that throughout the years, some New England trees have become important historical symbols. Through their size or their role in events, these trees were woven into the identities of the towns in which they grow. Unless you live near one of these trees, you may not have heard of them. We’d like to list five famous New England trees and hope you’ll let us know if you’re familiar with any of them!
1. The Endicott Pear: Located on Endicott Street in Danvers, MA, this pear tree is the oldest flowering, fruit bearing tree in the United States. This impressive tree has been producing pears for over 300 years!
Endicott Pear, image via treehugger.com.
2. The Survivor: This elm tree grows in front of Parkhurst Hall in Hanover, NH. It earned the name The Survivor after enduring through dutch elm disease, the Hurricane of 1938, and road project which severed some of its roots. The Survivor is as beautiful as it is tough!
The Survivor, image via dartmouth.edu
3. Tree of Independence: Planted by Willam Whipple in 1776 after signing the Declaration of Independence, this horse chestnut is located on the law of the Moffatt-Ladd Hourse in Portsmouth, NH.
Tree of Independence, image via waymarking.com
4. Sculpture’s Honey Locust: The largest honey locust in NH, this was planted by noted sculpture Augustus Saint-Gaudins in 1886.
Sculptor’s Honey Locust, image via Little Dog Vintage.
5. Pinchot Sycamore: The largest tree in Connecticut, the Pinchot Sycamore is 93 feet high with a trunk circumference of over 25 feet. To see this amazing tree in person, visit Simsbury Center.
Pinchot Sycamore, image via backwoodshome.com