Copper Beech Tree update

The Town completed the sad task of removing our beloved but ailing Copper Beech tree on April 25, 2018. Inspection of the tree base confirmed the diagnosis made by arborist Dr. Chris Luley, president and pathologist of Urban Forest Diagnostics, and confirmed by Gary Raffel, a certified arborist with Genesee Tree Service.

As seen in the image below, there were only a few small sections of healthy wood left to hold up this massive tree which measured 5.8 feet in diameter at its widest point and weighed many tons. The bottom two pieces of the trunk – only a fraction of the entire tree – weighed over 7 tons. What we found confirmed our reasoning for removing the tree – the deterioration had progressed to the point where safety was a serious concern.

(Click on the image to enlarge it)

The decay in trees caused by the Kretzschmaria deusta fungus is somewhat unique in that the fungus creates holes in cell walls by degrading cellulose. This degradation reduces the tensile strength of wood and leaves the wood brittle. Seriously infected trees often snap off at roots or near ground level without the formation of significant hollows.

While we all mourn the loss of our Copper Beech tree, we honored it with a fitting farewell on "Copper Beech Day in Pittsford" (April 23) and plan to keep its memory and spirit alive as we redesign Copper Beech Park and cultivate the saplings it has left behind.

Background Information

The Town had monitored the Copper Beech tree's decline since 2011, leading to the first assessment of the tree, which confirmed the presence of the fungus Kretzschmaria deusta. This fungus decayed the tree significantly from the inside, leaving the interior almost completely decayed. It was studied and tested by two prominent tree experts who ultimately recommended its removal. Since that time the Town did everything possible to save it. Yet the tree became physically damaged to the point that it poses a safety hazard. In 2015, a major limb of the tree, affected by the fungus, broke off and completely crushed a car parked behind Copper Beech Park.

Knowing the prognosis for the Copper Beech since its diagnosis, our Parks Department took great care to cultivate over 100 saplings from healthy cuttings of the tree. We’re currently working with the Village for a redesign of the park and have received advice from the Pittsford Garden Club.

Given the Copper Beech’s landmark presence in our community, we felt it would be fitting to conduct a public ceremony before its removal and did so on April 23, 2018. Many members of the community joined us for the farewell ceremony, during which Town Supervisor Bill Smith proclaimed the day to be "Copper Beech Day" and attendees signed a commemorative photo to be displayed in a prominent location within Pittsford.