The Balmville Tree was more than an Orange County or Hudson Valley landmark. It was rooted in community pride and local legend, a source of pride and a symbol of strength for area residents.
However it was perceived, the ancient tree had a fascinating history rooted in a mix of fact and fancy. The Balmville Tree was an old-growth eastern cottonwood growing at the intersection of River Road, Balmville Road, and Commonwealth Avenue in Balmville, New York, a hamlet within the Town of Newburgh. It was the oldest tree of that species in the Eastern United States.
Contrary to popular belief, the tree is not named for the surrounding area, Balmville; instead, the surrounding area is named for the tree, which in the early days was thought to be a “Balm-of-Gilead” tree. The name Balmville came to be associated with the area around the old tree.
Local folklore says the Balmville tree grew where George Washington planted his walking stick. At the same time, he and the Continental Army were encamped in nearby Newburgh later in the Revolutionary War. Historically, core samples date the tree’s growth to 1699. This was well before American independence or Washington’s birth. Sorry George! One less accolade won’t hurt you!
In the mid-20th century, the tree began to suffer from its advanced age and vandalism. In the mid-1970s, arborists recommended removing it as a traffic hazard. However, community groups saved it, citing its historic value.
After its rescue, state and federal governments took several protective actions. They installed an intricate system of guy wires and metal poles to support it. The small patch of land on which it grew was also protected, both by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as a historic site and by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a “public historic park” or state forest, making it New York’s most miniature state forest at 348 square feet in area. It has also been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000.
On August 5, 2015, the New York State Department of Environmental Protection cut down and removed the tree, citing safety concerns. For several weeks before the removal, the surrounding roads were closed to traffic because the tree was deteriorating rapidly, including the danger of falling limbs.
Residents understood the need for the action and did not protest, but they lamented the loss of the Balmville Tree. “There is no Balmville without the Balmville Tree,” one resident commented.
A 15-foot-tall stump remains at the location. It is still a protected area. Many residents took cuttings and will plant them in the hope of carrying on the tree genetically.
One has to admire these ancient trees. They are living history and have witnessed times and events far beyond any human’s capacity.
The Sojourner
