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Sacramento Says Farewell to an Old Friend

By
Real Estate Agent

It is no secret that California is sometimes thought of as the land of Tree Huggers.  And, because Sacramento is known as The City of Trees, local citizens sometimes ramp the tree hugger title up a bit! 

This morning at a little after dawn, I grabbed my camera and battled rush-hour traffic to visit with an old friend, and to snap a few pictures!

Old Camphor Tree - 18th & Capitol - Sacramento 2012
*Old Camphor Tree - 18th & Capitol Avenue - Sacramento

 

At the corner of 18th and Capitol Avenue dwells a landmark camphor tree, which has occupied that spot since 1886.   This tree exists in my earliest childhood memories. 

There has been an on-going battle to save the tree from a fungal disease infestation (Verticillium Wilt).  However city arborists have declared the tree cannot be saved.  It will be taken down tomorrow.

This evening, Paesano’s and Mangia restaurants, along with the Midtown Business District, and the Handle District neighborhood organization, will host a ceremony.  The ceremony time is from 5:00 – 6:30 pm, on Paesano’s patio, 1806 Capitol Avenue.

The midtown area of Sacramento has a reputation for its quaint cafes, restaurants, artists and galleries.  After the tree’s destruction, the wood is to given to local woodworkers to create benches and other artistic pieces.  The organizers of tonight’s event are suggesting a $10 donation to help fund the Sacramento Tree Foundation’s urban tree rescue program.

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments(22)

Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Myrl - this is a very sad event.  I love the mididtown area of Sacramento and I have fond memories of this tree.

Aug 21, 2012 10:55 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Myrl

It sad to see a stately be taken down.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Aug 21, 2012 10:57 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Myrl - Even trees do not live forever.  It is beautiful that people care so much for nature in your area.  I wish that was the case everywhere.  Sad indeed.

Aug 21, 2012 11:14 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Shiela - I am glad that some use of the trees wood will find its way into artistic endeavors.  I hate losing the tree, but seeing it this morning, I understand why it is inevitable!

Andrea - I have seen that happen with old trees too.  I actually had it to happen in my own yard!

Joan - So you know this tree?  I use to work just 3 blocks from this tree, and often saw it during lunch time walks.  It had been several years since I had returned to see it.  When I heard of it's plight, I simply had to go for one more visit.

Lou - It' its day, that was a very beautiful tree. 

Gail - No trees don't.  It is not possible to breathe life into something against nature's plan!


Aug 21, 2012 11:44 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Myrl,

That tree has seen a lot of California history pass before it since 1886. I love the concept of cutting it up for local artists to create something unique.

Rich

Aug 21, 2012 11:58 AM
Mike Warren
Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Oh Myrl, it is sad to hear that news. I know it's been part of many people's life. But it's good to hear that the wood will be used for some usedful and artistic pieces.

Aug 21, 2012 12:23 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

A sad day in Sacramento. I hope a large crowd turns out for the ceremony and lots of funds raised to help other trees be saved. ♥

Aug 21, 2012 01:13 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Myrl, Sadly the tree will go but in it's place, I hope they will plant some new trees. But while they are growing up, I am sure the shop owners will love all the unobstructed views in and out of their shops. I love posts like this that celebrates the ever changing circumstances that affect our communities. This old tree would have been saved and they tried but death will bring life and some wonderful lasting things as it is re-purposed.
Aug 21, 2012 01:29 PM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Oh Myrl,

I am so sorry about your beautiful tree and I am sure it is very emotional for you and other residents. I can see where half the tree looks dead so I am sure the city is worried that a big rainstorm could cause it to uproot and fall. Course you and I know we do not have much rain in California but I guess it could happen. Plus it could infect other trees too possibly. So sorry but nice that you and other residents are going to celebrate and say good-by.

Aug 21, 2012 01:55 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

That tree has been around for quite some time Myrl, too bad it couldn't be saved.

Aug 21, 2012 06:03 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

How sad, Myrl, I hate to see an old friend pass, but at least parts of her will live on in the area. What a great idea to use the wood that way. Too bad she can't be saved.

Aug 21, 2012 09:34 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Richard - I like that part of all this too! 

Mike - Yes, even after its demise, there will be purposefullness produced from the tree.

Joni - I like the idea of how this tree loss was handled.  They had a little ceremony to celebrate its life, and used it as a fundraiser to help other trees.



Aug 21, 2012 09:47 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

William - The great circle of life is a universal truth.  The creative people that dwell in the midtown area came up with great ideas for moving on, and providing continued purposefullness of the tree, even after its demise.  I think it will be neat to visit the area and find benches and artistic products created from the wood.

Kristin - When I saw the tree yesterday, I knew there was no way the tree could be saved.  There was acceptance of that among those I spoke with yesterday.

Tom - When you stop to think about it, 1886 is only about 30+ years after the founding of this city.

Toni - For the living, our days are numbered, and then we become part of everything else.  I like the idea of her wood being used for artistic endeavors.

Aug 21, 2012 09:54 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Myrl,

As a fellow tree-hugger, I was moved by this inspirational post. I can appreciate the history you share with this magnificent tree that has stood there for years, long before the builders and the store owners. Over the years, it weather many storms, babies were born in the tree branches, peopel stood under the tree to experience the shade, cool breezes rustled the leaves and they tumbled to the ground in a colorful display of an artist tapestry.


I'm so glad useful items will be made from this gorgeous tree. I hope you get yourself some  and if I know you, you'll stock up on gifts to share with others, because you are like the tree, a giver.  

Aug 21, 2012 11:34 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Myrl, It is sad to see some of these old trees go away.  I do hope that they plant another in it's place.

 

Aug 22, 2012 03:56 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Myrl,

I am truly sorry to hear about the plight of this wonderful and very old tree. It appears everyone had done what could be done. I like the idea of making artistic items out of this famous tree. Good blog and i will suggest. I hope they have ahuge turnout to say goodbye to old friend of the city.

Aug 22, 2012 08:47 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is sad with wonderful old trees have to be taken down.

Recent storm damage in our area provided a good reminder that old trees can cause a lot of damage when severe weather hits.

Enjoy the days of summer with your camera in hand.

Aug 22, 2012 10:26 AM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Myrl, that's sad...but at least you have conservation minded people there that tried to save this magnificent tree.

Aug 22, 2012 08:30 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I hear some of the people at the site today were given pieces of the tree and they might make a bench out of it to put on that corner. That's a fitting ending to this glorious tree.

Aug 23, 2012 11:57 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Myrl, very sad to see a tree cut down. We had one that was snapped into during a storm a few months ago that was located in the front of our community.  I loved how the tree provided all the colors of all the seasons.  I hope the city replants another tree.

Aug 25, 2012 06:11 AM