Faith Taylor has lived in Westport for 33 years. She has been a fundraising professional for local non-profits including Planned Parenthood, Norwalk Hospital and Earthplace, a trustee of the Westport Library, and a member of the Board of Education.
Faith writes:
A 2022 real estate listing called it “Connecticut’s Largest Sugar Maple Tree.”
The State of Connecticut registry of notable trees highlighted it as a “champion.” With a height of 90 feet, a circumference of 246 inches and an average spread of 79 feet, it was the largest specimen in its species.
The sugar maple provided shade, habitat and elegance to the charming, historic Wright Street neighborhood.
Wright Street sugar maple. (Photo/Rowene Weems)
After more than 100 years in the same family, the house at #41 was sold last year, in a bidding war. Listed at $850,000, it sold for over $1.4 million.
Last week, this champion tree was taken down.
Was it dying? Not apparently. In danger of falling? Check out the trunk.
But it must have been in the way of a soon-to-be porch, swimming pool or 2-story addition.
Private property owners have the right to manage their own landscaping.
But this was not just any tree. This maple had history. This tree had significance.
It was more than 200 years old. It’s a devastating loss to the neighborhood and our community — never mind the birds that nested there, the bees that found pollen, and all the microorganisms that sustain the life cycle of our fauna.
Grief may be too strong a word.
But it certainly is sad to lose the very elements of our town that contribute to its soul.
(“06880” covers Westport — from its people and events to its history and trees. Please consider a contribution to support our work. Just click here — and thank you!)
