Citizen Request for Ipswich American Elm Tree Wood

 
When I Am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness,
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
  ~ Mary Oliver
  

                  

             

           Citizen Request for Ipswich American Elm Tree Wood

Are you an artist, woodworker, furniture maker, builder? professional or artist? Are you interested in creating a project from centuries old, Ipswich wood ?

Background

On July 11, 2012, one of Ipswich’s majestic American Elm Trees, on the corner of County and East Streets, was felled. For years, Ipswich Public Works treated the tree to fight off the advancing stages of Dutch Elm disease. Unfortunately, by spring of 2012, it was determined that the tree was dead and its enormous limbs posed a safety hazard to motorists and pedestrians.

 Over the years, appreciation for this elm tree was shared by everyone who passed by. The elm tree inspired many writers and artists to create beautiful works. Now, the town would like to offer pieces of the wood to artisans, woodworkers, furniture makers, builders, crafters, non-profit organizations, arts and education-based programs so that this beloved elm tree can continue to be shared and enjoyed.
The Ipswich Shade Tree and Beautification Committee is considering ways to raise funds for future tree and other Town beautification projects. If you plan to sell your wood project, the committee encourages applicants to make a donation with a portion of the proceeds. Please understand that your choice will have no bearing in the evaluation of your project. Our overriding goal is to find suitable ways to memorialize this grand elm.

Selection and Distribution

All applications will be reviewed by the Ipswich Department of Public Works and the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee, a town authorized committee. The final selection of wood distribution will be made by the Town Selectmen. Preference is given to Ipswich residents, organizations or projects that are of benefit to the town and its citizens.  Wood distribution will be announced at a future date. All wood is disease-free.

Please pick up an application at the Ipswich Town Hall, DPW window,  and submit the completed applications to: Rick Clarke/Town of Ipswich DPW/Town Hall, Green Street, Ipswich MA 01938/(978) 356-6612/ rickc@ipswich-ma.gov .The DPW office is at Town Hall, second floor, and is open Mondays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays – Thursdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. to Noon. Offices are closed on weekends and holidays. You may also download an application in PDF form from the Town of Ipswich website. http://www.town.ipswich.ma.us

The Shade Tree and Beautification Committee would like to thank DPW Director Rick Clarke, Armand Michaud, and Kitty Bartholomew for all of their help and support in this project.

Also a great deal of appreciation and admiration goes to our own Kerry Mackin who continues to work and learn about the existing elms in our town so they are cared for and preserved in the future.