Historic tree threatened

LONGVIEW, Wash. – Arborists say a black walnut tree planted from a nut 157 years ago to mark the birthplace of Washington Territory is full of decay, and a Longview historic preservationist fears plans to build a railroad spur nearby will crush the ailing tree’s roots and hasten its demise.

“This is the most important historic tree in the state of Washington,” said Bill Kasch, a retired teacher who’s championed several local historic preservation projects. “I’m representing those old settlers and those people who have been trying to protect it for years.”

Those involved with the railroad spur say they’ll do their best to protect the tree, which is on a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976. The tree was placed on the local historic register in 2003.

“We don’t want to hurt that tree. On the contrary, we’ve been trying to help that tree and will continue to do so,” said John Leber, general manager of Swanson Bark, the company building the railroad spur.

The walnut tree was planted on a farm in what was then the village of Monticello. There, 44 pioneers held the Monticello Convention in 1852 and petitioned Congress to split Oregon Territory in two, creating the Washington Territory that eventually would become Washington state.

A flood destroyed Monticello in 1867, but the tree survived. A sign was erected in 2006 at the tree’s base that reads, “1852 Monticello Convention: Birthplace of Washington Territory.”

The spur soon will be built on the footprint of a previously existing spur that was removed years ago, but Kasch is worried that heavy construction equipment will compact the soil and damage the tree’s roots.

Kevin Beaty, a city arborist who inspected the tree Oct. 8, said it has minor tip die-back, major decay at the base of the trunk and most likely moderate decay higher up in the trunk. Beaty recommended that when the spur is built, workers should minimize root damage or soil compaction. Spreading mulch over the roots would help, he said, concluding that the work wouldn’t further damage the tree’s health.

Leber had another arborist look at the tree, who said the tree had been incorrectly pruned and probably won’t live much longer, Leber said.

“It’s had a hard life,” said Longview Parks and Recreation Director Rich Bemm.

Some of its limbs were ripped off in the fierce Columbus Day storm of 1962. In the following years, thieves attacked the tree with chain saws for its hardwood, which is valuable for making gun stocks.

Although Kasch doesn’t want to see the tree die, he’s already got a backup plan. A couple years ago, he planted a few starter trees from walnuts he collected from the old tree. The city’s Parks Department is taking care of the trees, which are between 3 and 4 feet high now, at its nursery.

When the tree eventually calls it quits, the city will seek permission from property owner Leona Fowler Kalliwick to plant one of the starter trees in its place, Bemm said.