100-year-old courthouse tree to be removed

Friday, April 10, 2009

A tree that has stood for more than 100 years in front of the Elmore County Courthouse will be taken down some time in the next few weeks, according to Dan Collins, the county's grounds superintendent.

"We really don't have any choice," said Collins, who indicated that the county had had a tree surgeon work on the tree several years ago, but tree experts recently concluded the Silver Maple just to the left of the sidewalk as citizens enter the front of the courthouse has become too rotten to save and poses a safety hazard.

Collins said that all of the big maple trees in front of the courthouse were already 15-20 years old when the courthouse was built in 1915, "and they're all starting to get near the end of their life expectancy. We're all going to be very sorry to see them go," although the county hopes to keep them alive as long as possible. He said that two years ago, anticipating the problem with the specific tree that will have to be removed this year, a seedling was planted near it in order to provide a replacement tree.

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I'm glad the young tree is already planted. I hope there is a ceremony of some sort when the old tree has to go.

-- Posted by senior lady on Fri, Apr 10, 2009, at 10:31 AM
I have great memories of going to the courthouse and seeking relief from the summer heat under the maple trees. Mom would go to DMV and my brother and I would play outside under the tree or drop the "helicopter" seeds from the tree off the courthouse steps. It will be sad to see the tree gone when I come home to visit family but glad to read a young tree has been planted already.

-- Posted by IdahoGirl64 on Fri, Apr 10, 2009, at 9:04 PM
Im sure some of our citzens/business could do something with 100 year old silver maple, would it be neat to make a large 100 year old silver maple table for the Court house or Elmore Co or city hall Mountain Home,

-- Posted by Freedom on Sat, Apr 11, 2009, at 10:09 AM
Think of what that tree has seen.

-- Posted by skeeter on Sat, Apr 11, 2009, at 1:50 PM
Freedom, what a great idea! I wish I knew someone who could do it.

-- Posted by senior lady on Sat, Apr 11, 2009, at 7:50 PM
How about having Joe Fortner make one of his totem poles?? LOL

-- Posted by LongTimeListener on Sun, Apr 12, 2009, at 2:48 AM
and put the totem poll Right as you walk in the court house, that would look cool

-- Posted by Freedom on Sun, Apr 12, 2009, at 11:14 AM
Maybe the man that carves the dead trees (like the one near the city Chrsitmas tree) could do something with it. It would be nice also if someone could make a piece of furniture out of some of the wood, for auction, and donate that money to Meals on Wheels or the domestic violence group (here in town) or even a food bank. Just an idea. It really would be nice to have a part of that tree around in the courthouse in a table or chair.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Mon, Apr 13, 2009, at 9:00 PM
" Trees"

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer. 1886--1918

-- Posted by Beau on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 1:55 AM
Beautiful poem, Beau

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 9:41 AM

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