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Petersburg National Battlefield Press Release
Release Date: For Immediate Release
Contact(s): Dave Shockley
Phone Number: (804) 732-3571 x305
Date: April 3, 2007
Historic Witness Tree Spawns New Life as it Nears the End of its Own
An historic sycamore tree which provided shade to General Grant’s headquarters during the siege of Petersburg is nearing the end of its long life. During the sycamore’s lifetime slaves worked around it, generals met beneath it, and visitors marveled at its size, but nothing could save it from old age.
On Tuesday, April 10, the old tree will be removed.
For years the sycamore has been struggling from ailments related to age, weather events, and insect infestation. In an effort to combat these debilitating issues and extend the life of the tree as much as possible, staff from Petersburg National Battlefield used a variety of stabilization methods. These methods have included the installation of support cables between the large branches to provide additional structural support; the placement of steel rods through the main trunk of the tree to prevent large cracks that could tear the tree apart; and the strategic removal of branches to reduce the amount of weight and “sail effect” that could place too much pressure on the old tree.
Despite all of these efforts, park staff and professional arborists agree that nothing more can be done to sustain this “witness tree.” After significant effort and consultation with professionals, staff has concluded that the tree must be removed in order to ensure a safe environment for visitors, to protect Grant’s Cabin located a few feet away and to allow room for an offshoot of the old tree to grow.
Superintendent Bob Kirby stated, “This tree is a real link with the past. It’s like losing a good friend. We have struggled for several years now to preserve it but its time has finally come. As we know, all
living things must eventually pass on. Fortunately for us, there is a healthy off-shoot from the root mass we hope to nurture into healthy adulthood. Ironically, this lineal descendent is about the same size as the mother tree when Grant first camped nearby.”
Visitors and the media are welcome to observe the removal of the old tree structure from a safe distance on Tuesday morning, April 10 at approximately 9:00 a.m. at City Point.
Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors.
Release Date: For Immediate Release
Contact(s): Dave Shockley
Phone Number: (804) 732-3571 x305
Date: April 3, 2007
Historic Witness Tree Spawns New Life as it Nears the End of its Own
An historic sycamore tree which provided shade to General Grant’s headquarters during the siege of Petersburg is nearing the end of its long life. During the sycamore’s lifetime slaves worked around it, generals met beneath it, and visitors marveled at its size, but nothing could save it from old age.
On Tuesday, April 10, the old tree will be removed.
For years the sycamore has been struggling from ailments related to age, weather events, and insect infestation. In an effort to combat these debilitating issues and extend the life of the tree as much as possible, staff from Petersburg National Battlefield used a variety of stabilization methods. These methods have included the installation of support cables between the large branches to provide additional structural support; the placement of steel rods through the main trunk of the tree to prevent large cracks that could tear the tree apart; and the strategic removal of branches to reduce the amount of weight and “sail effect” that could place too much pressure on the old tree.
Despite all of these efforts, park staff and professional arborists agree that nothing more can be done to sustain this “witness tree.” After significant effort and consultation with professionals, staff has concluded that the tree must be removed in order to ensure a safe environment for visitors, to protect Grant’s Cabin located a few feet away and to allow room for an offshoot of the old tree to grow.
Superintendent Bob Kirby stated, “This tree is a real link with the past. It’s like losing a good friend. We have struggled for several years now to preserve it but its time has finally come. As we know, all
living things must eventually pass on. Fortunately for us, there is a healthy off-shoot from the root mass we hope to nurture into healthy adulthood. Ironically, this lineal descendent is about the same size as the mother tree when Grant first camped nearby.”
Visitors and the media are welcome to observe the removal of the old tree structure from a safe distance on Tuesday morning, April 10 at approximately 9:00 a.m. at City Point.
Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors.
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