A historic tree with real roots in one Hudson Valley community is in danger of collapsing. Time Warner Cable News reporter Jackson Wang has the story.
BALMVILLE, N.Y. -- For more than 300 years, a massive eastern cottonwood tree has been part of the Balmville community.
“It’s the oldest cottonwood that we know of in the country,” said Richard Severo, a Town of Newburgh resident.
Sitting on the corner of River Road and Balmville Road, the tree is filled with history.
Some claim the tree grew when George Washington planted his walking stick while he and the Continental Army were encamped in nearby Newburgh during the final years of the Revolutionary War. But, science shows the tree is actually older than that, dating back to 1699, well before the American Revolution.
The Balmville Tree is one of three trees listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“When George Washington made his headquarters here, the tree had already reached it’s maximum growth,” said Severo, who has lived next to the tree since 1974. “It’s a remarkable tree."
But now that remarkable tree is in danger of falling after officials with the DEC examined its stability on Monday, saying a large section is in danger of collapsing on to the road.
The DEC now has to make a decision on exactly what to do with that tree. Many are hoping, it stays in place. No timeline was given on when the DEC will make a decision, or if they will have to cut it down.
“It’s a cultural icon for the Town on Newburgh,” Severo said.