Tree 'rooted' in history gets community care

Lewisburg, Pa. — After surviving more than two centuries, Lewisburg's historic witness tree received some much-needed pampering last week.

The white oak, located at the intersection of South Seventh and St. George streets at the edge of the Lewisburg Cemetery, is the only surviving 'witness' of the initial land surveys in 1769. The surveys marked the tract of land that later came to be named Lewisburg.

The tree, estimated to be about 250-years-old, received an organic pesticide treatment to fend off the spongy month. The tree also received a much-needed pruning of dead wood to insure no falling limbs over the street and sidewalk, while also improving the appearance of the oak.

The organic insecticide treatment was performed by CNY Drone Services of Clinton, NY, free of charge. This high-tech treatment method ensured the insecticide was directed only at the tree, limiting overspray on the street and adjacent properties.

“This tree was at risk of being defoliated by the spongy moth,” explained Amy Levan, Lewisburg Shade Tree commission chair, “if it had defoliated, it would cause tremendous stress to the witness tree and allow it to become highly susceptible to other stresses such as borer infestation or drought and severely lower its chances of survival.”

The Lewisburg Cemetery, where the tree is located, was established in 1848 and now comprises 38 acres of grounds. “Over the last five years, the cemetery has worked hard to replace lost trees with the planting of 45 new shade trees,” said Steven Beattie, member of the Cemetery Board of Managers and a landscape architect. “However, we need to be sure we are caring for our existing trees, and this historic Oak is very important to the Cemetery and the Community.”

“The Lewisburg community cherishes our witness tree for its historically importance, its grandeur, and all the other benefits shade trees bring to our community,” said Beattie, “as a non-profit Cemetery, the strong partnership we have with the Borough, the Penn State Extension, and tree care specialists, helps to ensure this tree can be around for many more years.”

Lewisburg Borough, through the Lewisburg Shade Tree Commission and the Lewisburg Cemetery have worked together on tree plantings in the cemetery and along the street frontage. This small tree care project builds upon that partnership.