06/03/2026
For us, this isn’t a permanent goodbye to one of the world’s largest American Elm trees. Today may have marked the end of its rumored 250+ year life, but we at Woodrich have the honor of continuing its legacy.
This Elm not only survived being hit by lightning, but also the Dutch Elm Disease that took so many of its species. Sadly, the tree showed its irreversible health decline when it shed a large limb a few weeks ago. Along with this, the tree showed potential signs of what is called Elm Yellows, a fatal disease spread by insects. A sample has been sent out to be tested to further understand the cause of its rapid health decline. Due to this, it was decided that it had become dangerous to the buildings and people of Wellsboro that spent so much time underneath it.
When the professional team of Dincher and Dincher, the same tree specialists that preserved it for so many years, cut into the trunk, it became apparent just how far along the decline was. The center and roots had rotted, leaving just a shell for the first few feet above the ground.
When the tree was felled, the team of Allison Crane was ready to move the 30,000LB tree onto its trailer. The tree was then transported to where it will be milled by the team of Woodrich after careful planning. From there, it will air dry for 1-4 years and then move to the kiln systems for the second drying process.
When these drying processes are over, Woodrich will be handcrafting multiple custom pieces for Wellsboro’s Chamber of Commerce to auction. These proceeds will be used to create and install a bronze statue of the tree to forever be remembered in the heart of Wellsboro.
Woodrich will be offering reservations for dining tables, coffee tables, and more in the near future to the people of Wellsboro, then of Pennsylvania, then the remainder of the United States. If you are interested, please send us an email at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.
It was a sad two days for the town of Wellsboro, but joy can be found in the legacy the Elm created over its years. Its memory will live on and we are so thankful to be a part of its story.
