Local trees are rooted in history

DAVENPORT – A recent local Facebook post asked the question, "Why are so many people in Davenport cutting down trees?" That's a tough question to answer. Perhaps there's a valid reason for these acts such as diseased or hazardous trees, or maybe it has something to do with the maintenance required to enjoy them. Raking leaves can get old, but should we take into account a little history before making such a final decision to remove a tree?

When early pioneers came to Lincoln County there weren't many trees near the present townsites. Davenport, for example, appears as a barren scabland in the majority of old photos, with many baby trees getting their start around the turn of the century.

Our pioneers didn't benefit from these living shade screens, but the rest of us that followed have. It can take many decades to have a mature tree ready to protect one from the sun while also adding a touch of beauty to a property. That's not to mention the stories that come with each tree. All trees tell a story about who planted it and why, but It can also be a story of a hidden find, a terrible tragedy or something related to world history.

Davenport was once called "Cottonwood Springs," which was a name originating from many cottonwood trees that once grew along the creek. The present park area once served as an oasis-like camping spot long before anyone decided it might be a good spot for a town. If you visit the park today you might believe the trees lining the street are cottonwoods as the author did for many years, only to discover they are actually poplar trees. These trees are cousins to the cottonwood as they are both members of the same genus and do produce cotton like seeds, but these are not the original trees responsible for the Cottonwood name.

The Lombardy poplar trees along Park Street were planted in 1919 as the city began tearing down old, dilapidated livery buildings where the western portion of the park is today in hopes of opening a tourist campground. As people began taking trips with early automobiles, campgrounds such as these became commonplace. The nicely treed area soon added a pool and the current city park was born while the tourist camp moved west to Kahse Park.

In the 1000 block of the north side of Main Street many decades ago, a homeowner began cutting off a large limb at the fork of a tree when the chainsaw began producing sparks. They discovered the sparks originated from the saw striking a cache of old coins embedded in the tree. Someone had stored or left their coins in this location and the tree grew around them.

However, not all stories are as positive as this one.

For instance, at the southwest corner of 8th and Maxwell Streets stands a century old elm tree as a reminder to some local citizens of tragic accident that occurred in the 1970's. A helpful neighbor volunteered to trim the tree for the elderly resident at this location. He was said to be climbing the tree attached to a rope when he slipped and the rope tragically wrapped around his neck. Emergency personnel responded, but sadly were unable to save their life.

Many locals will recall the large fir tree just south of the fire station that was blown over in a windstorm landing squarely on the restored historic log schoolhouse. While trees can apparently erase history as this one did, sometimes they are tied to events and people of the past. As an example, the most famous tree to ever grow in Davenport is a willow tree with ties to state, nation and world history. Lincoln County Superior Court Judge, C.H. Neal, once lived on the NW corner of 8th and Merriam Streets, and in his yard once stood a willow tree with historic ties.

Its roots dated back to the early 1800s when the emperor of France, Napolean Bonaparte, was exiled to the island of St. Helena off the coast of Africa. While in exile he was said to have found peace sitting for long periods of time under a large willow tree where he later asked to be buried.

In the 1830s France presented cuttings from this willow tree to the United States as a gift. Since willows easily grow from cut branches, these clippings were planted around the grave of President George Washington, where they soon grew into mature trees.

After the Civil War, a confederate officer named General James B. Metcalfe visited Washington's grave in Mt. Vernon, Maryland on his way west. He stopped at the grave and was given a personal tour of the area. The guard gave permission for Metcalfe to take a large cutting from the Willow tree, which he grew for a period of time in a pot as he traveled west. He settled in Seattle planted the tree in his yard and was appointed as the first Attorney General of Washington State. Metcalfe gifted cuttings of his historic tree to several people around the state, including Judge Neal of Davenport. Part of the original Seattle tree still stands just off of I-5 despite being cut down and at one time burned. The tree has long surpassed its life expectancy and several clippings have recently been taken and planted in areas around Seattle to keep the historic lineage alive.

Neither of the past two residents of the old Neal residence could recall any evidence of a willow tree having been on the property. It most likely died off or was cut down many years ago without a chance to tell its story to future generations.

Surrounding our small community grow many trees, all with their own unique story to tell. They may shed leaves and require upkeep, but they were all planted by people of the past for the future to enjoy and serve as a sort of time capsule into the past.