The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

brick house in North Capitol street,
planted some trees on the east side Of
the Capitol, of which this elm Is one.
Another view taken OF the origin. Of its
name Is the popular one that Washing
ton used to come over from his house,
after he became resident there, and eat
his lunch under the shade of this elm.
The Washington elm has undergone
several surgical operations during the last
generation and 10 still under treatment
The weight OF It's several boughs has
caused q break at the crotch; also the
neglect to remove leaves and dead stun
which accumulated in this crotch rotted
the tree. The tree has been scraped
thoroughly, treated with creosote, and
then with a coating Of tar to hermetically
seal the wood from dampness, and then
filed with cement This Is practically
the same method followed by a dentist
In filling a tooth, and is used for the same
purpose. In the case OF the Washing
ton elm however. there is a seepage,
which will later necessitate the insertion
OF drainage tube, as the tree has been
neglected or improperly treated until the
decay has gotten too far down to be
remedied by other means.
The tree has been bolted together to
obviate any further injury from the force
Of the winds and its own weight, and this
part Of the surgery is not yet completed.
The elm is being nursed and coddled like
any other beloved invalid. and its general
health Is improved and improving, but
fifty years Of life is about all that is
promised II by It's gardener surgeon, Mr..
Dun. whereas IT should have lived 200
years in q healthy state.
Senator Cameron's Tree.
At the southern entrance to the south
terrace approach of the Capitol Is an
other old tree which has suffered from
imperfect surgery, but is now in a way
to complete recovery. This is the Cam
eron tree" also an elm, and is notable
by the fact that It owes its life to the
Hon Simon Cameron, while he was a
United States Senator from Pennsylva-
mia. Senator Cameron was passing down
the walk where several trees had been
condemned TO be sacrificed to the new
walks and Capitol approaches. One fine
old tree had been removed and workmer
were about to begin upon this elm, its
twin, when the honorable gentleman.
who, by the way, was then member Of
the Senate Committee on Buildings and
Grounds, objected to its removal. He
then went into the Capitol and made an
lmpassloned appeal Of the "Woodman,
VI,
remained. It stands high above the level |
Of the grounds, monument on a green |
pedestal OF natures own handiwork, IN |
the center Of the stone walk.
The old Sumner tree. however, was not |
10 fortunate. for despite all efforts It was |
doomed when the grounds were lowered. |
Il stood in the center of the section |
graded down, and though 1t struggled !
along valiantiy. 1t could not seem to take
.oot successfully. and died in its prime
Several old trees were thus sacrificed
which might have been interesting to pos
erity. Also some have gone the way /
he improper surgery route. The old way
II amputating was to cut a limb squarely
", leaving nat surface to catch and
lold the water and leaves, thus causing
he dampness to eat into the vitals ard
Ierves Of the tree, sometimes causing
Even after the filling was
lone the tree would continue to waste
'elow It, But now the limb is cut dag
nally, and after a single coat of creosote
o seal the wound. and sometimes light
oat Of paint added. 4 viii heal up. cover
Eself with bark. and become almost In
isible. A slight scar at the most il the
esult, while the heart OF the tree IL
ound and impregnable.
Naturally, the Botanic Garden Is the
lace where the majority Of the historic
rees are putting forth year after year.
Iere are found trees which are worthy
nd digniaed memorals Of notable men.
transplant Big Tree.
Over near the north side OF the garden
the .sCrittenden Oak" planted in 1853
v the Hon. John ]. crittenden. Al
aourh the label informs the observer
nat ssthe seeds from which this tree was !
r6wn were brought by Hon ]. ]. Crit
.nden from Kentucky In 1852 and planted | I
sre BY him and william r. Smith to ,
his great effort for peace" {
Ie statement is obsolete IN q measure,
owed from the east gateway entrance