The Elm Trees of Elmwood

At the dawn of the American Revolution, an elm tree on the Boston Commons served as a meeting place for the Colonials as they planned their revolt. This became known as the “Liberty Tree”. Patriots throughout the colonies planted their own “liberty trees” to show their support for the cause and serve as rallying points.

Two hundred and forty years ago (1777), a stand of thirteen elms was planted in the heart of Elmwood to celebrate the American victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York. Had this battle been lost, our country would most likely have remained a British colony.

As the eighteenth century closed and the nineteenth began, rows of elms were planted along New Britain Avenue and Newington Road and provided the area’s name of “Elmwood.” Their cathedral-like canopy created an effect know as an ‘outdoor room’.

The Elmwood Business Association (EBA) has arranged for this elm and three others to be planted as part of the renewal of Elmwood. We anticipate that many more elm trees will follow as we re-elm Elmwood. The EBA also places the holiday and flag decorations during the year. We meet the first Friday of every month (8:30 am) at “The Corner Pug” and invite anyone with business interests in our area to join.

Starting in 2007, the following elms have been planted:

#1 (on the Elmwood Green) (sponsored by Ginsburg Development Corporation)
#2 and #3 in front of St. Brigid's Church and Rectory
#4 next to the Trout Brook Bridge on South Quaker Lane
#5 in Beachland Park

2008

13 elms were planted in front of the Price-Rite Supermarket
Duffy Cub Scout Pack 161 planted a second elm on the Elmwood Green (sponsored by the Elm Research Institute of Keene, NH)