The Oldest Tree In Pittsboro
On The National Register
By Joyce Remick
Possibly the oldest, or second oldest Holly Tree in the
Nation is slowly dying in downtown Pittsboro!
Old trees, old gardens and, indeed, old things are wonderful. By their
very nature, they have withstood the test of time. They have proven their
resilience to the ravages of age and often take on a picturesque beauty as
a result. Karle Wilson Baker recognized this beauty and asked that she too
would grow lovely, growing old. In her poem, "Let Me Grow
Lovely," she recognizes the beauty and grandeur of an old tree who
has weathered the test of time, she mentions, "there is a healing in
old trees."
Perhaps you feel this healing nature of the old American holly tree, Ilex
Opaca, that stands majestically across from the General Store Cafe,
despite the hardscape around it. You can see it as you drive into the
parking lot, and feel it closely when you walk under it on the way to the
Café’.
Now this old and grand tree, which has graced the center of Pittsboro for
so many decades, and may be the oldest Holly tree in the nation, is in
desperate need of some healing itself. For years its root system has been
smothered by asphalt, struggling to provide the water and nutrients that
its branches need to live. That struggle has not been successful; the top
of the tree is dead. But the lower branches are alive, and the trunk
appears sound, apparently unaffected by decay or insects that typically
invade declining trees. And what a trunk it is—thicker than the
second-largest American holly in the entire US, according to American
Forests’ Register of Big Trees, which can be viewed at
www.americanforests.com.
American Forests’ North Carolina Field Representative and Consulting
Arborist, Guy Meilleur has inspected the tree and recommends the following
steps be taken to preserve this valuable asset to our community:
1. Carefully lift out the paving material from the parking space from the
space closest to the trunk. Replace with good soil and 4-6" of
woodchip mulch. This space then could be converted to a sitting area.
2. Remove competing turfgrass from area between sidewalk and curb. Convert
it to a raised bed of wildflowers. Use species associated with American
holly with the hope that they will form a symbiotic relationship.
3. Drill 6" holes in pavement in the area under the branch tips. Fill
holes with compost and structural soil which will provide for the tree’s
aeration and nutrition requirements and be compacted enough to hold up to
traffic.
4. Remove dead branches.
Can this old tree be saved? Only in the years to come will we know if our
efforts to reverse its decline are successful. But given the tree’s
size, location, and contribution to the community and its history, the
work to save it is very worthwhile. Let this Holly Tree grow lovelier
growing old.
