An Ode to our Eastern White Pine
This week we had to remove the iconic Eastern White Pine (pinus strobus) in front of Willowdale Estate that we affectionately called “Willy”. We’ve been keeping a close eye on this tree over the last few years, but it was recently determined that years of decay had compromised the trunk and root system supporting its very tall crown, posing a risk to the estate and the activity within.
Our Eastern White Pine “Willy” grew to be over 100 feet tall, had a diameter of 51 inches and a circumference of over 13 feet. The arborist advising its removal estimated that this tree was between 140-150 years old.
We will greatly miss our grand pine, as it was an iconic sight upon arriving at the estate and an important part of the building’s history – predating the mansion’s construction as a ‘modest summer home’ for Bradley Palmer. This tree presided over parties that were hosted by Bradley Palmer (like Harvard class reunions and annual horse shows), as well as over 12 years of weddings and events hosted by the Bramble Hospitality team!
The scenery may have changed some, but our commitment to the preservation of this beautiful property remains! As a tribute to “Willy”, we have saved some of its trunk and hope to memorialize this iconic piece of our landscape.
