300-Year-Old Memorial Tree
The 300-year-old oak tree memorializes Ruluff Choate. During summers in the Berkshires, Ruluff and his family picnicked under the tree. After Ruluff’s death at age 19, the Choates bought the tree and surrounding land to build a home and enshrine their memories of him. They hired Frederick Law Olmsted, of Central Park fame, who demanded they chop down the oak tree and build their house in that exact spot. Instead, they fired Olmsted and erected Naumkeag, a 44-room “summer cottage,” next to their remembrance oak.
My daughter Alix never picnicked with us under a tree, and we no longer live in the home where Alix grew up and dined with us. But we have memories of family meals at restaurants. Now I frequent these restaurants and conjure Alix telling a story and laughing.
Do you have places associated with a lost loved one?
Such an interesting story. Memorial trees are wonderful tributes to those we've lost.
Olmsted clearly didn’t listen to their vision, or grieving hearts.
Garrett’s favorite place was always in the water. How lucky am I?🥰