90-year-old beech tree cut down in Portsmouth N.H.

I couldn't find the a related article on the tree, what was the reason for the removal? Disease?

The crown piece in the crane pick photo looks okay.
 
One would have to ask... W.W.J.D?
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Caption said roots were disturbing the church's foundation.
No word on why the offending roots were not located and pruned.
A radical solution!
 
Indeed, a radical solution. This is a local tree for me. Several local arborists argued for root pruning and continued observation.
The concern was that removing the roots causing the damage would de-stabilize the tree and threaten the church. There was very little working room here. The tree was quite large and very close to this historic structure. I think the cornerstone was laid in 1824. With respect to the privately owned church and small patch of ground on which the tree flourished, they didn't feel they had any options. Maybe they did have options, but probably not without some pretty serious reduction in the crown.
A sad case to be sure. But this is the pattern. A successful tree that enriches its historic surroundings for decades becomes a real or perceived threst and is removed.
 
Kevin, I too know right where this tree was and it is indeed sad to see it go.

Beech trees are one of my favorites and to see a healthy one like this removed is sad.
 
[ QUOTE ]

The concern was that removing the roots causing the damage would de-stabilize the tree and threaten the church. ...Maybe they did have options, but probably not without some pretty serious reduction in the crown.
A sad case to be sure. But this is the pattern. A successful tree that enriches its historic surroundings for decades becomes a real or perceived threst and is removed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Kevin; not a pretty pattern at all. It seems no one understands the simple and natural act of retrenchment for an old tree. Serious reduction needed; perhaps, but not uglifying or seriously damaging.
Perceived threat indeed; those perceptions of fear and loathing are hard to reason with.
 
Wrong tree wrong place. Those magnolia will be beautiful.

How about this one. A group of dogooders from a FLY-IN christian "eco"-lodge got a government grant to reopen old fur trade portages around my remote cabin. Someone drew a line on a map in the wrong place and off the group went. They hit shore on my lake and fired up the chainsaw. Cutting numerous 200+ year old trees creating a trail which ended on the edge of a cliff. Ooops. No one cares. Bears don't care.
 
That was just what I saw on my lake. They spent the summer on that project. 200 years ago the trail would of went around those trees anyway if that was where the trail was. That lake is a postcard everywhere you look and those trees were old. Really tight growth rings as they're so far north so good lumber, logs or firewood. That was my tax money at work. Total waste.

The lodge owner was canoe guiding with my dad in the 60's so I'm sure his eyes got wide from my nasty email.

I added my off topic post as an example of the concern for forest vs. urban trees. Once a place is developed it's usually managed. Big trees are cycled and improper ones replaced. A wild place on the other hand is way more special. Yet loggers still do oil changes on the ground. I don't think that would be cool on the church's front lawn.
 
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