Many Westporters are lamenting the loss of 3 cherry trees. Cut down last week as part of the new Bedford Square project, they stood outside the downtown Westport Y seemingly forever.
“Seemingly forever” is actually 50 years.
A very alert “06880” reader found a Westport Town Crier clipping from March 15, 1964. The paper reported that despite spraying, pruning and feeding, a “venerable” tree succumbed to Dutch elm disease.
The “venerable elm tree” frames the Y.
For 100 years or more, it stood on that exact same spot: in front of the Y.
The elm tree is removed. It was taken to the “city dump,” and burned.
In its place, the Town Crier said, 3 flowering Japanese cherry trees were planted. Twelve feet high, they were donated by Westport garden center owner (and very active citizen) Alan U. Parsell.
They flourished there for exactly half a century.
In 2064, I’m sure “06880” — or whatever replaces it — will run a nice looking-back story on the “venerable,” lovely trees that for 50 years framed handsome Bedford Square.
The Westport YMCA, after the Dutch elm was removed. Note the lack of ivy, too.
