A prominent and well-loved tree at Waveny appears to be dying, and members of a volunteer group that oversees the park’s popular Fourth of July celebration are preparing to contribute toward a new tree when the time comes.
The prominent, iconic maple tree behind Waveny House appears to be dying and the Family Fourth Committee is preparing to make sure there’s always a nice tree there for park-goers to enjoy. Credit: Michael Dinan
The big maple just off of Waveny House’s sprawling patio has provided shade to thousands of park-goers through summers and long has formed an important part of the iconic view from the fields at what many would call New Canaan’s most treasured amenity.
The New Canaan Family Fourth Committee (the $30 passes to the event are being sold now to town residents; a limited number of $60 nonresident passes also will be sold) wants to make sure there’s a tree there for people to enjoy, said Tom Stadler, administrative officer in the first selectman’s office.
The tree appears to be showing signs that it’s not faring too well. It will not be taken down before its time, though it’s possible that a successor tree for the prominent spot could be planted nearby, officials say. Credit: Michael Dinan
“It won’t come down until it’s dead, but sometimes you can plant a new one under it or nearby,” Stadler, who helps oversee special events for New Canaan, said after a meeting of the Family Fourth Committee, held at Waveny House (which itself is the object of preservation efforts).
“We just want to be ready to contribute a new tree,” he added.
The fields, Tudor mansion and prominent trees of Waveny form both backdrop and centerpieces for the Family Fourth Celebration, which will be held right on Friday, July 4 this year. (The park will open to the public at 5 p.m. and the fireworks will start around 9 p.m. This year’s event will include our New Canaan Town Band, food, drinks, ice cream and entertainment for kids.)
Meanwhile, town officials this week approved a $28,530 contract with Mill River Tree Service for tree pruning and removal work at Waveny. In all, 89 trees will be removed as part of that work (not the big maple), according to Tree Warden Bruce Pauley.
The trees that will come down are only those located along places where people walk and drive and that already are dead, dying or decaying (and in all cases, potentially dangerous), Pauley said.
“These are primarily dead trees or trees that are physically in trouble, about to split apart, fall over due to decay,” Pauley said Tuesday during the Board of Selectmen meeting, held in the training room at the New Canaan Police Department. “I stay just along the main road and the main trails. Trees that are deeper into the woods, they stay.”