C.W. Post’s American Elm Tree Designated as Historic Elm

The 90-year-old American Elm tree that is the centerpiece of the admissions courtyard at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, New York, has been placed on the National Honor Roll of Historic Elms by the Elm Research Institute. With this designation, the Elm is considered a landmark specimen, which commemorates its historic past to be preserved and protected for future generations. There are only 5,000 trees of this size and age remaining in the United States. Many of its brethren across the country have succumbed to the dreaded Dutch elm disease.

The designation as an historic landmark was made possible by the research efforts of C.W. Post Grounds Manager, Case Joosse, a Holland-trained horticulturist who undertook the task of an extensive application process, which included history and specimen documentation.

The C.W. Post Campus located on Long Island’s fabled Gold Coast was originally the private estate of Post Cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her second husband Edward F. Hutton. At Mrs. Post’s request, the American Elm was planted fully grown in 1922 as part of a larger intricate landscape and formal garden design created by landscape architect Marian Cruger Coffin. Planting a fully grown tree gave the impression that the estate was of great age, not newly built.

Today, the Elm has a trunk circumference of more than 10 feet, 4 inches at breast height. To qualify as an historic elm by the Elm Research Institute, the circumference must exceed 10 feet. The 50 foot tree has a tall, drooping crown growing above divided trunks giving the tree a distinctive, vase-like appearance. Its classic broad canopy provides ample shade in the courtyard. Many students take advantage of the shade by studying on the benches located under the tree’s expansive branches.

The historic Elm tree is located within the C.W. Post Community Arboretum, a 20-acre tract of native trees and nature trails. The Community Arboretum is open to the public from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Self-guided walking tours begin at Hillwood Commons and last 30 to 45 minutes. For a map or for further information about the arboretum, please call 516-299-3500 or email neighbor@liu.edu. The map is also available at the Information Desk located in Hillwood Commons.