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The Balmville Tree is the oldest Eastern Cottonwood on record in the United
States. A core sample taken by a Harvard University scientist in 1953 indicated
it startedgrowing in 1699. When it began life, Bach was a 14-year-old
captivated by the music of Vivaldi, who was a young man of 24, and Shakespeare
had been dead for only 83 years.
The Balmville Tree is thus older than the American Republic. A 19th century
fable held that the tree sprang to life from the riding crop of George
Washington who made his headquarters in Newburgh 1783-84. But the Balmville Tree
began its life 33 years before Washington, and nine years before his mother,
Mary Bell Washington.
Situated in a glen at the intersection of what were three old Indian trails, and
nurtured by a plentiful supply of water from the hill that rises to the west of
it. The Balmville Tree grew quickly and well, achieving in its prime a height of
more than 85 feet—and a massive circumference of approximately 25 feet. The core
sample indicated that by the time Washington rode by, the Balmville Tree was
already huge. During the Revolution, there was a tavern near the Balmville Tree
whose patrons regularly gathered under its shade to sip their brews, denounce
King George and his taxes, and talk about the course of man.
New York Champion Eastern Cottonwood, Balmville, New York
Eastern Cottonwood (Populous deltoides) is indigenous to North America and grow
rapidly for 75 years or so. Most of them die before they reach the century mark.
The Balmville Tree was nearing the end of a normal life expectancy in
Washington's time.
The Balmville Tree defied all odds by continuing to grow into the 19th century.
The people who lived around Newburgh in those days mistakenly thought that it
was a Balm of Gilead, an exotic hybrid poplar related to cottonwoods. Hence, it
was called the "Balm Tree," and the settlement that grew up around it "Balmville."
The hamlet of Balmville began to appear on maps in the late 18th century.
In the latter half of the 20th century, the roadways that meet at the Tree were
redirected to avoid sacrificing the tree, but in the process, the base of the
Tree was encase by concrete and stone walls. Imprisoned in this ring of asphalt
and stone, the Tree began to weaken.
By the 1970s, the Balmville Tree was in serious decline. In 1975, at the urging
of the New York State Nature and Historical Preserve Trust, a state law was
enacted designating the Balmville Tree as a unique plant.
In 1976, the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
declared the 348-square-foot site a "public historic park"—the smallest state
forest in New York. NYSDEC obtained a tree protection and maintenance easement
from the City of Newburgh, and DEC regional foresters are responsible to
maintain the tree's health by pruning, fertilization and other care.
The trunk was completely hollow, and the main trunk—in danger of collapse after
being split by Hurricane Floyd—was removed, reducing the Tree's 110 foot height
to only 83. On advice of a private forestry consultant, a few preservation
efforts were made: the road pattern was altered and a stone safety wall
expanded. Residents raised $18,000 to erect a custom steel mast beside the Tree
as a lightning rod and support, and several steel cables were attached to
support the large branches of the remaining crown.
Several attempts by universities, institutes and environmental groups to clone
the Tree have failed. Cottonwood cuttings are usually easy to root. Then, in
1998, Dick Severo, the Tree's neighbor and passionate guardian, stuck a small
branch in his lawn, and the tiny stick took root and began to grow (photo at
left). By 2001, it had grown to 18 inches and carried 15 leaves.
