LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - JUNE 18, 2023 by Lynne Belluscio I probably should have written this story back in April on Arbor Day which is the last Friday in April, but perhaps more fitting, it was also Library Week. This story is about LeRoy’s “Library Tree.” Back in June 2019 – four years ago, the decision was made to take down the Copper Beach tree near the Woodward Library. The tree had a lot of history and a lot of memories but it suffered from several diseases. All efforts had been made to treat the Kretzechmaria Deusta that was eating away at the trunk and had contaminated the ground. Wyatt Van Buren Tree Service came and removed the tree and somehow, the photographs of the men standing on the huge pieces of the trunk with chain saws in their hands seemed inappropriate for such a stately tree. It was reported that pieces of the tree had been saved and it was suggested that a bench be built. And indeed, that was done. Suitable pieces were taken to John Mancuso to be sawn and then the lumber was taken to J.D. Doemling’s barn to dry until it could be fashioned into a bench. The huge Copper Beech tree was planted in 1930 as part of the Woodward families’ tribute to their parent’s Orator and Cora Woodward. It was 37 years old when it was planted in 1930. Copper Beech trees, which are native to Europe, have an average life span of 120 years in America. I checked and learned that there is a Copper Beech in Bristol, Pennsylvania that is 338 years old. But I also know that a Copper Beech tree that was an important part of the landscape at the George Eastman House in Rochester, had to be removed because it too had become diseased. Unfortunately, the disease penetrates the ground, which prevents a tree to be planted again on that spot. The lumber from the library tree had to dry for quite a while, but eventually some of the boards were taken to Allen Guilford’s shop and he fashioned a beautiful bench which now rests on one side of the fireplace in the Woodward Library. I might suggest that folks who remember the tree, stop by and have their photo taken sitting on the bench. There will also be a sign in book where you can share your memories about the Library Tree. Copies of the poem by Gerry Haligan will be available also. The Children’s Tree How many young minds have grown and branched on the limb of the Curly Beech? How many lives deemed successful were greened in this tree of life? Climbing legs twist to hug the skyward limb and find a strength unknown. An arm level branch is the entrance to a hidden world just made for youth. A cave of green with magnified peep-holes on the outer world, the real world, As counter to the tree-world of innocent dreams. Perhaps the bark of the self-made man is the reflection a soft velvet leaf from the magnificent Curly Beech. By Gerald Haligan former Librarian of the Woodward Library There is another bench in the library that should be mentioned. It was part of the original 1930 walnut shelving and had been a magazine rack. About 15 years ago, Gary Fink, who had been doing some other projects for the Library, was asked to convert the magazine rack into a bench. Gary decided that it would be appropriated to add some quotations into the back of the bench: “Books are the ever burning lamps of accumulated wisdom”. George Curtis (An American writer and public speaker in favor of civil rights and African- American equality.) “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Groucho Marx “Librarians are the guides for all of knowledge .” Patrick Hess Just as an additional note, I am embellishing a wall hanging of LeRoy and on the image of the Library Tree, I have sewn a piece of the actual bark of the Library Tree. The wall hanging will be displayed at the Library sometime soon, and will be at the Oatka Festival and eventually hang in the Municipal Historian’s Office in the Village Hall. Please Be Seated
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