Society Mourns Loss of Landmark Tree

A landmark magnolia tree — probably planted by the great-granddaughter of Civil War hero, Gen. Joseph K. Mansfield — will have to be cut down because of damage from the pre-Halloween snowstorm.

Middlesex County Historical board recently voted, somewhat reluctantly, to have the treasured tree on its property removed on the recommendation of an arborist, who concluded that it would not survive the loss of so many branches.

Historical Society Director Debbie Shapiro said it was a bad year for the magnolia, which was hit by a one-two punch from Tropical Storm Irene and then the recent nor’easter. Together, they claimed more than half of the tree’s branches, Shapiro said.    

“It’s really sad,” Shapiro said.  

The huge tree, known for its showy spring blossoms, stood in the garden of the old brick Gen. Mansfield House on Main Street, historical society headquarters since the 1960s.

Shapiro said the magnolia is believed to have been planted in the 1930s by Marietta Edgerton, a descendent of Gen. Joseph King Fenno Mansfield, who was mortally wounded at the battle of Antietam. It was this history and its rare beauty that made it special, she said.

Shapiro said members of the garden club plan to take cuttings of the tree in hopes of re-rooting it.

The historical society is taking donations for replacing the tree. Checks can be made out to the "Middlesex County Historical Society" and sent to 151 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457. Please put "tree fund" in the memo line.

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