Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 6, 1995 TAG: 9506060129
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY REED
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
T.F., Bonsack, and R.B., Daleville
A: That big old elm, a stately piece of Roanoke's heritage, died a natural death the night before Festival in the Park began.
It was the finish of a deterioration that started with the Blizzard of '93. Winds howling unobstructed down the Elm Avenue hill took advantage of a natural defect - a split in the trunk that started about 3 feet from the ground.
The tree's largest limb started to come out, said Dan Henry, Roanoke's urban forester.
Still worse damage occurred three months later, when severe thunderstorms wrecked trees and buildings from Roanoke to Petersburg on June 7, 1993.
The big elm's condition was marginal at that point, but Henry and city crews tried to save it with three cables and two braces. Their efforts withstood the ice storms of 1994, but the tree finally gave up.
About 2 a.m. on May 25, the Thursday before Festival in the Park began, one of the cables gave way and the largest limb drooped into Jefferson Street, blocking traffic.
"We had no choice," Henry said. Later that morning, the tree was cut down.
It had 73 rings in the trunk, indicating it was planted in the early 1920s. Old photos support the date, Henry said.
It was one of nine American elms planted along Jefferson Street in Elmwood Park. Seven of the trees survive.
About 15 years ago, Dutch elm disease claimed a tree where the city library sign now stands.
The other elms seem to be in good health. Although lightning struck one about a year ago, the tree isn't showing overall damage.
Henry said the city is thinking about replacing its recent loss with an American elm that's disease-resistant.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB