By Anne W. Semmes
Last Thursday the primary tree lovers of Greenwich gathered in the greenhouses of Sam Bridge Nursery to celebrate the Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s (GTC) fourth year of Treasured Trees winning entries of favorite trees on private properties across town. Held specifically, “to create respect for unique trees, to encourage forethought for any removal of nameplated trees, and finally to inspire future nominations.”
Among the notables of some 75 attending were First Selectman Fred Camillo, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Fred Landman, owner of the famed Sleepy Cat Farm rich with trees including a winning Katsura tree. But missing was Blumenthal’s father-in-law, GTC founding chairman, Peter Malkin (temporarily out of action), and Dr. Greg Kramer, the Town’s Tree Warden (out of town). Also, notably visiting was Denise Savageau, former Conservation director for the Town, now semi-retired with husband Mike Aurelia in Old Lyme.
The winning tree, ladies and gentlemen, was an American Elm! “We all know the plight of the Elms,” introduced horticulturist/landscaper John Conti, serving as judge with Sam Bridge. But “There has not yet been a more beautiful tree that God has made than the Elm. The American Elm has that beautiful umbrella shape.” And “this Elm is at Greenwich Country Day School.”
Conti then read the propose/teacher Nikkie Barratt’s story: “I treasure this tree because the Greenwich Country Day School American Elm is at the heart of our school. The tree stands over 100 feet tall, and we think it’s over 300 years old. The main branch is spread 50 feet from the trunk and the largest have a circumference of 40 inches. It sits behind the middle school building on Old Church Road and is a hub of school activities.
“Outdoor performances take place in the amphitheater located at its base. During the pandemic, it’s canopy almost formed its own tent as indoor classrooms moved outdoors. Bake sales are held in its shade…The elm is home base for tag…Generations of students have treasured this tree over the almost 100 years that the school has been located at the former Warner estate on Old Church Road. And we hope it continues to hold sentinel for many more.”
“What you didn’t hear,” added Barratt, “is that actually the end of the year faculty party is held at the base of the tree. So we dance under this tree at the end of the school year. It’s just a fabulous tree.”
Mr. Landman’s seconding scoring Katsura was announced by Sam Bridge as having been submitted by Landman’s not present horticulturist Alan Gorkin. He wrote, “I treasure this tree, because it’s size and fragrance in the fall smells like caramel. The new growth in the spring is reddish hue and beads of water appear on the leaf edge. It loves the moisture and anchors our Japanese Iris collection and thousands of visitors each year marvel at it in all seasons.”
Landman spoke of having “planted hundreds of trees” on his Clapboard Ridge property, “but this one stood out because it was one of the first trees we planted – at about a three-inch caliper when we put it in the ground in 1997. And it was a perfect tree because it’s in a wetland area and it thrives with wet feet, which is something I learned back then when I was just starting out when they said, ‘Well, it likes its feet wet.’ And I go, ‘Wet feet. Roots wet.’ That’s one of our favorite trees on Sleepy Cat Farm.”
Third place winner was a spectacularly rooted Norway Spruce on Palmer Hill Road. “People commonly call all evergreens pine trees,” said Sam Bridge, “but this is a Norway Spruce.” The proposer, Abigail McCarthy wrote, “I treasure this tree planted around 1899 when our house was built because of its massive girth and extraordinary Harry Potter Whomping Willow scale roots that have kept safe squirrels, stashes, buried Lego treasures and nests for our hawks. Each year, it remains standing like a guarding angel over our home, despite winter ice storms and hurricane winds that have felled its smaller brethren. It’s a tree that truly breathes soulful serenity when you stand beneath it, which makes you feel safe and respectful of nature’s might.”
Two dogwoods came next, the first of Rex Niswander on Robertson Lane in Cos Cob, and another of Roger Clarke’s on Buckfield Lane, and an honorable mention was Peter Levy’s smaller Elm on Mayfair Lane. But a newly classified historic landscape tree award brought especial distinction as announced by Sue Baker, co-chair of GTC’s advisory board.
“As a community that’s over 380 years old,” noted Baker, “Greenwich has many historic homes and properties, and in order to recognize the venerable trees that remain on these properties, we have established the historic landscape tree award. So, this year, we are honoring a very special tree on John Street…a Cottonwood tree that is on a property first owned by Debbie Diane Mead, who lived from 1720 to 1797. At various times other members of the Mead family had lived and owned this property…The present owner is the National Audubon Society, which established the Greenwich Audubon Center as its first conservation education facility in the United States.
“So, it’s big, big tree,” continued Baker. “So, Dr. Kramer says Cottonwoods are typically planted in wetlands, and like wet feet like the Katsura, and are usually planted in groves. This one is unique as it had no competition, so has been able to grow larger and he believes it’s over 150 years old, and they usually live to 200 to 250 years old. So, this is a venerable mature tree that has seen a lot of change in the town of Greenwich.”
Accepting the new award was Camille Broderick. “I’m very honored to accept this award for this wonderful tree,” she shared. “I have taught at the Audubon Center for over 21 years, and I have taught thousands of school children that come here. And I will tell you, it brings joy to my heart to remember those kids wrapping their arms. I mean, there’s probably 10 to 11 kids that can get around this tree wrapping their arms. And one little boy one year just giggled at all the fluff at the bottom of the tree, which is what was left when the seeds are dropped. So, thank you very much.”
More praise came from First Selectman Fred Camillo. “We love Greenwich for a lot of reasons, but one of the reasons is because it’s green. And it’s green because there’s a lot of trees and that’s due in large part to the good work you all have done the last several years. So, keep doing what you do and keep making and keeping Greenwich green.”
Senator Blumenthal echoed that praise. “Just a great thanks to all of you for being such strong environmentalists, for supporting trees and treasured trees that are rightly treasured. And thank you all for continuing our legacy in Greenwich of prizing environmental caring.”
