Lafayette Sycamore-Harvard University

treeworks • Apr 05, 2023

Harvard University Artemus Ward Sycamore

Project Details

The Sycamore at the Artemus Ward Museum was planted in honor of General Lafayette, a revolutionary war hero who died in 1834. When wounded during the war, he leaned up against a tree. He was heard to say "This tree brings me great comfort"; that tree was an American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Consequently, this Sycamore continues to honor the memory of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette to this day.

Unfortunately, the tree was damaged during an ice storm in 2011, when a large portion of the crown fell within close proximity to the Artemus Ward museum building; due to safety concerns, the tree was being considered for removal. Treeworks was contacted by Harvard University and asked to give a second opinion. Using a Resistograph, our experts discovered that the tree—63 inches in diameter—had a hollow center that was 40 inches in diameter (an alarming ratio). Owing to the significant historical value of the tree, preservation became an immediate priority.

Our experts designed a system that would support the main structure of the tree while protecting the adjacent museum structure. Two custom made support columns were installed on extensive concrete footings. Two safety cables, attached to a 20,000 pound concrete footing, were installed along the lower and uppermost sections of the trunk. The angle of the cable support system was designed to facilitate rotation of the tree away from the museum, in the unlikely event of a catastrophic failure.