New-York tribune., 1898-01-16
YOUNG CHARTER OAK.
A SEEDING OF THE FAMOUS CONNECTICUT
TI,EE


From The Hartford Courant.
The famous old Charter oak. OF which Con-
necticut is so proud, seems destined 20 be kept
IN remembrance not only 10y the pages 0t
his ory, but through its cenlants few
'chiidren" and many grandchildren" of the
original tree are now growing in this and other
States. As is quite fitting, Hartford possesses
upon Bushnell Park what Is believed TO be the
largest and most thrifty Sc edling Of the Charter
oak that has been placed upOl public ground.
This tree stands in the extreme east part near
Park River, occupying the centre Of triangle
formed 10y The junction of the walks leading
from the Trumbull-st. bridge and the Mulberry
ST. bridge and extending toward the Capitol
Aside from its ass citations and simply as a
handsome specimen Of the Quercus alba,
white oak. famed in all ages for its strength
and durability, the tree IS worthy Of attention:
The tree has just completed fifty years OF
growth, and gives promise of continuing for
several hundred years. 1t now measures over
forty feet in height, thirty inches in largest di-
ameter at the surface Of the ground and eigh-
teen inches through the trunk at q point three
feet from the ground: while the branches, meas
ured from the trunk, extend over a radius OF
from eighteen to twenty-four feet. True to its
nature as Il white oak. many Of the leaves hang
on through the Tinter until loOsened by the
swelling buds Of spring.
The authenticity of the tree as a true de-
see ndant Of the Charter oak is beyond question.
and all facts connected with it can be easily
verified by any one Interested Its history is as
follows: In October 1911. Samuel whitman, a
well-known citizen Of West Hartford, when a
young man fresh from Yale. and having "A fond
ness for botanv walked to the south part Of the
city in search of specimens Of frinSed gcntian.
Coming back he turned aside at the Wyllys
place and picked up several acOrns under the
Charter oak
These were planted in a hower-pot. Two
coming up in November Of the same year were
! carefully tended during the winter, and later
were set out in a small nursery near Mr.. whit
mans home in West Hartford Although now
blind Mr. Whitman has clear memory, ana
the date is established in connection with an
extended stay in Virginia, which ne began III
December. 1871.
In 1>,j,; one Of the trees, which had developed
very finely was Offered by MIR Whitman to the
Park Board and gladly accepted Late IN that
year not far from December 81, the tree was
carefully prepared and moved to IT'S present
place under the personal direction or JACOB
Wcidcnman Il landscape gardener. then Park
Superintcndent. The other Seeding was set
upon the green in West Hartford but soon dled
Judge Sherman ". Adams and others OF the
Park Commission have been much lnteIeslei III
| the tree and It has received the best OF care
Last wear It bore a peck or more Of acorns, but
this year the crop was less. THESE acorns are
sent to all parts Of the country, ana some siHt-
bic grandchildren" are now filling use III posi-
tons Il was a Seeding from this tree thdt was
! onicialiv presented to the city OF Cleveland
/ ohio recently to be placed upon one OF the
city rarl,s ,.,,
| Park for scNcra, years. and the arctaNeIs Oh
| the Park have many inquiries As to the "here-
| abouts Of the tree and frequent requests Ior
| oco-ls The former mas this season nj box
~ no acorue To a Norwich woman " no Is raising
| s..dlirys 10 present 10 fellow members ot the
! Daupltors Of tn, Revolution Ihc Tree pears
/ no mark or inscription but can be easily iouhd
/ hy any one familiar with oaks