Ipswich Garden Club

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Friday, January 15, 2016

January Hort Minute—"The Old Elm and its Display" by Janet Craft and Paula Jones

Janet Craft and Paula Jones presented a slide show on "The Great Old Elm Tree Ring Display" to the Town of Ipswich at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Nov. 30. They presented it a second time to the IGC at the January meeting. You can read about it and see a PDF of the slide show below.

In July 2012, the American Elm Tree, which had stood at the corner of East Street and County Street for over 170 years, finally succumbed to disease and was taken down in 2012. This majestic old elm witnessed nearly two centuries of Ipswich history. Working with the Ipswich Department of Public Works, the Shade Tree and Beautification Committee saved several large cross-sections of the tree to preserve and prepare for a “tree ring” display. With the efforts of many volunteers and interested citizens, the tree section has been sanded and preserved. Harvard University forest ecologist David Orwig officially dated the tree 171 years old by counting the rings. Working with the Ipswich Museum and the town historian, the committee identified significant dates in Ipswich’s history to mark on the tree section.

The Great Old Elm Display includes dates and photos of Ipswich and world events and writings inspired by the elm tree by David Wallace and John Updike. It is on permanent display in an exhibition case next to the Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the Town Hall, where the public can see and enjoy this look at Ipswich history for many years to come.