The towering Founders Oak, the tree that has welcomed thousands to Chesapeake Academy and an iconic symbol for the Town of Irvington, was limbed and felled on July 29.
The 200-plus-year-old oak, which flanked the drive to the private school, was featured in the 2008 book, Remarkable Trees of Virginia.
“This was really more than just a tree,” said Richard Abbott, the school’s retired business manager. “It’s a big part of people’s histories.”
The tree was named the Founders Oak six years ago in honor of six of the school’s founders. Some 10 years ago, a blight was effecting oak trees throughout the state and Abbott noticed some signs of distress. He contacted Brandon Frazier with Bartlett Tree Experts in White Stone and a fertilizing system was installed.
“We went to great extremes to keep it alive,” said Abbott.
However, the health of the tree continued to deteriorate. Five years ago, a fence was placed around it to protect the tree and visitors as it started dropping large branches. The school then developed an exit plan for the once lush and towering oak.
On July 6, the school held a celebration of life for the tree. Here are Abbott’s comments, “If My Branches Could Speak,” with excerpts from Irvington by C. Jackson Simmons.
“If my branches could speak, they would tell you the day that my mother’s seed fell in this place and gave me life many years ago. They would joyfully recount the days of my youth in this place called Carter’s Creek Wharf, where few people lived among the mighty oaks and pines that first lived here.
“My branches would tell you how they watched as our first inhabitants lived in harmony and peace on the banks of what we call Carter’s Creek. My branches would tell how the passing seasons brought change to the undisturbed land that surrounds me.
“They would share the story of the first families to settle Carter’s Creek Wharf. The Lees, Messicks, Rowes, Willets and Kirkmeyers…the Chases, Stephens, Ashburns, Simmons and Fleets. These families watched me grow and change, and I watched them grow, too. Oh how I remember those children who played and laughed under my youthful limbs, and whose joy for life gave me strength, though I was only a scrub!
“Time moved on. I grew in height and stature. I was one among many, and I didn’t know that I would see this beautiful world for over 150 years. So much joy and sadness have I seen from here.
“Then came the steamboats, so majestic in their arrival. Many new people found the banks of our little village. It was growing then, changing as each new face passed by on their way to new adventures. There were shops and factories here, there were gifted sea captains living on the banks of Carter’s Creek and everything was perfect. Every day, horses and carriages shuttled new friends and old neighbors from the waterfront to other parts of the area that I would never see from my unmoving piece of earth.
“Then, one awful day I saw the flames of fire. It was 1917 and through my branches blew a stiff breeze. The fire jumped from building to building and I watched the town I love, reduced to ashes. How sorry I was, but from disaster, I watched my neighbors rebuild and over time, my town was new again.
“I was a young tree when World War I broke out and our men were called into service to our nation. And I remember the celebrated departure of many brave men, and the joyful return of those fortunate souls who lived to tell, of the Great War.
“One day, I noticed the steamboats stopped coming to our shore, and then these four wheeled horseless carriages appeared. My branches rustled each time one passed our way, for it was like nothing they had ever seen. On the corner lived Miss Addie Gunby. Her home was beautiful. In 1952, my branches watched as her home burned. Miss Addie loved watching me grow and become a part of her world and as the heat of fire touched my branches, I knew that my beloved neighbor would be leaving my side.
“But then, the Rowe family built a fine home near me. It sat where today, the new school is. I so enjoyed when Mr. Rowe would sit on his porch and watch the world pass by. For many years the Rowe family played and picnicked under my branches. These were wonderful days of simplicity and joy.
“The children grew and left; the house was quiet for a long time. But then one day in 1968, children came! Oh, how joyful were my branches at the sight and sound of children playing on the fields and under my growing canopy?!
“It has been our pleasure to live with and among the people of Irvington for these many years. But our time is up. My branches are old and tired. My trunk is worn and broken. But do not mourn for me. I have seen the history of this town unfold beneath my branches. I have been embraced and loved by hundreds of children and adults.
“I feel your love and sorrow. But don’t be sorry. I will live in memories and pictures for another long season. Even though my leaves will not fall upon this hallowed ground in the fall, my memory will live, thanks to you who hugged me, who climbed in my branches and who sat in my shade. It’s been a joy to live with you in this wonderful place, called Irvington.
“If my branches could speak, they would say, ‘Thank you for loving us’.”
