Woodside locals want to landmark a giant beech tree

Image source: DNAinfo

DNAinfo reports that a group of Woodside neighbors, including historians and local community leaders, want to landmark a giant neighborhood copper leaf beech tree, due to its great age. Apparently it may have been planted during the Revolutionary War, according to documents of the time analyzed by Queens Historical Society collections manager Richard Hourahan. Others believe it dates back to the Civil War. This means the tree is at least 150 years old. It is located on 63rd Street, between Woodside Avenue and Queens Boulevard (GMAP).

The tree really is a survivor, since it has made it through many changes in this part of the borough – new buildings, streets, the LIRR, the subway, changing hands of the property on which it lives. This tree also survived an uncertain future a few years ago – a developer wanted to cut the tree down, but the folks at CB2 talked to them and convinced them to build the building around the tree.

Once more research is done, it will be presented to the NY Landmark Preservation Commission and the National Register of Historic Trees for what they hope is further steps to secure the safety of the tree, to be dedicated as the Freedom Tree.

Advocates Pushing to Landmark Queens Tree That May Date to Revolution [DNAinfo]
Woodside residents save 223-year-old beech tree [Times Ledger]