By Beth David, Editor
Nothing lasts forever, especially living things. And so, the center of town must say “good bye” to the old horse chestnut tree that was on the grounds of the Unitarian church on the southeast side.
According to a message sent to the congregation, the inside of the trunk has hollowed out, making it unstable. The trunks have been held together by a steel a cable for at least 20 years.
The leaves and nuts that fall into the gutter system also cause water backups, and cost money to remove.
“If not done quickly enough, the water finds its way into the mortar and walls of the church,” reads the statement, causing structural and cosmetic damage to the church.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” reads the statement. “In fact, we voted to purchase and plant a sapling in its honor on our campus. It will probably not be placed in the same location, but it will serve as a testament to this congregation’s ability to grow and adapt in changing conditions.”
Bob Rocha, who is president of the congregation, said no one knows how old the tree is, but the cables have been there for at least 20 years, and, presumably, the tree was old then.
“We thank you for your understanding and acknowledge any sadness you feel over the loss of this old friend,” concludes the statement.
Workers from Scarlett Tree Service took the tree down last Thursday, 11/5, while people from the neighborhood watched and photographers got pictures of the gaping hole in the trunk. Even a hawk seemed to know that it was his last chance to sit in the branches, alighting for a few minutes while the chain saws were quiet.
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- A worker cuts limbs off the old horse chestnut tree on the south lawn of the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 11/5/20, that had to be taken down due to its deteriorating condition. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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- Ken Cummins keeps an eye out as Zach Demers operates the excavator that pushes over the trunk of the old horse chestnut tree on the south lawn of the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven, which had to be taken down due to its deteriorating condition on 11/5/20, Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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- Sawdust flies as Ken Cummings cuts limbs off the old chestnut tree on the south lawn of the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven on 11/5/20, which had to be taken down due to its deteriorating condition. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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- An inside look at the turnk of the old horse chestnut tree on the south lawn of the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven shows just how rotted it was, which is why it had to be taken down on 11/5/20, Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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- During a break in the cutting, a hawk decides to perch among the branches, the last to do so in the old horse chestnut tree on the south lawn of the Unitarian Church in Fairhaven, which had to be taken down due to its deteriorating condition on 11/5/20, Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
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