ASCUTNEY — A dying maple tree that has stood as a memorial to a Weathersfield farmer who opposed construction of Interstate 91 through his farm will be cut down as soon as next week after yearslong efforts to restore its health.
In its place, a pavilion will be built to honor Romaine Tenney and tell the story of his life. The Agency of Transportation is giving the town a $30,000 grant to pay for its construction, Weathersfield Town Manager Brandon Gulnick said Friday. VTrans will retain the right to remove the memorial in the future if there are safety concerns.
The tree, at the edge of the park-and-ride lot off Exit 8 of Interstate 91 in Ascutney, was once owned by Tenney, who set fire to his farmhouse properties and died by suicide in 1964 after Vermont served him papers to take his land and barn by eminent domain to build the interstate. The maple has long been seen as a symbol of Tenney and the principles he stood for.
“Attempts were made to extend the life of the tree and minimize the risk to life and property,” Gulnick said.
But last summer, arborists examined it and determined its health had taken a turn for the worse. “The tree was rotting internally,” Gulnick said.
The town held a series of workshops involving the Weathersfield Historical Society, Conservation Commission and Tenney relatives to discuss the removal of the tree and how to honor Tenney, Gulnick said.
“From my understanding, everyone has been very positive about it,” he said.
Wood from the tree will not be used to build the pavilion. “Considering the tree’s existing condition, that’s not going to be possible,” Gulnick said, adding that the plan is have it up by May. Members of the town’s parks and recreation committee will plant flowers around it. There is talk of using some of the wood to build a memorial plaque at the site.
Some of the wood from the tree will be given to Rockledge Farm Woodworks in Weathersfield, which will make plaques for Tenney’s relatives, said owner Scott Duffy, who went to view the tree on Friday.
“From the standpoint of someone who knows wood, the tree is dead and needs to come down,” said Duffy, who supports the town’s plans to honor Tenney. “The town has done a nice job handling what is a difficult situation for many folks — a lot of personal feelings and sentiment and so forth that are tied to that tree and the whole history there. I’m glad to see that the town is appropriately handling the history.”
Additionally, Douglas Cox, who makes violins and violas in Brattleboro, Vt., will use some of the wood to construct instruments.
“Anybody else who wants some of it is welcome to do it too,” Gulnick said. “There’s a lot of people interested in it.”
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
