This morning, I published a communication from Lloyd Koedding regarding his rescue of the white pine that was ceremoniously planted on Promenade Hill and unceremoniously uprooted by vandals. I reproduce that missive again here:
Since publishing that post, I received from a reader this picture of Koedding, taken on Tuesday morning, May 12, when he was on his way to rescue the tree.
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| Photo: Peter Spear |
I also received from DPW Superintendent Rob Perry, who located the tree after it was discovered that it had been uprooted, this picture, which was taken at the time the tree was found. Its location on the steep slope below Promenade Hill is circled in blue.
This morning, the tree was spotted on the street in front of Supernatural Coffee.
At this point, the survival of the white pine seems iffy at best.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CAROLE OSTERINK
UPDATE: According to an article that appeared in the Register-Star today, Friday, May 15, Koedding has given the tree to Marilyn Cederoth of Cedar Farm, a regular vendor at the Hudson Farmers' Market, who has agreed to care for it at her 25-acre garden in Ghent.
It is unfortunate that some selfish, hostile person ripped out that tree and put it over the bank. However, considering that approx. 14 million trees are cut down each year for the absurd Christmas tree ritual and well over 200 million softwood (pine and fir) trees are harvested annually for lumber, paper, and other products, it seems ludicrous to get sentimental about this one little pine tree.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the symbolism is or who selected this type of tree, but in my opinion, a pine really isn't very ornamental for a park of this type. When the tree gets large the sticky sap will ooze and get on kids hands, the needles will kill the grass, etc. A better choice might be something like a flowering magnolia or tulip tree. Even something as mundane as a maple, sycamore or oak would look nicer and would cast more favorable shade in that location.
See this post: https://gossipsofrivertown.blogspot.com/2026/05/why-we-cant-have-nice-things.html
DeleteThe tree was planted as part of a commemoration of the bicentennial of the opening of the Erie Canal. It was intended to be a symbolic tribute to the Haudenosaunee, the confederacy of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayagas, and Senecas, and as a commitment to a sustainable future. No one in Hudson had any say in the species of the tree. The CAC, however, did chose the site, which was meant to be along the river.
The tree is dead, let's move on please.
ReplyDeleteLloyd, our town metaphysician, is taking action while others sit back and criticize on the comments section. Here is a passage from Jill Lepore's We the People (congratulations to Hudson neighbor, Bob Weil, for editing this pulitzer prize winner!): "About 1450 CE, Dekanawidah, the great peacemaker, and delegates from the five nations of the Iroquois-- Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Mohawk adopted an agreement known as the Gayanashagowa, or Great Law of Peace, and often referred to as a constitution, which they recorded on wampum, a light and dark pattern of shells strung together. It begins, 'I plant the tree of great peace.' It was meant to grow, root, and branch."
ReplyDeleteThank you Lloyd for rescuing this gift, the promise of a more peaceful Hudson. More power to you (and Marilyn!) as you keep your eye on the real prize.