On Arbor Day, April 23, 2021 at 5:00 p.m., we will celebrate West Goshen’s heritage trees at the township’s most well-known tree. It is a European weeping beech, planted by Alexander Bane on his farm around 1711. At more than 300 years old, the venerable beech is older than West Goshen itself. Having survived for so long, the tree has spread out, retired its central stem, extended its limbs, and sprouted new stems and branches, so that it now covers 10,000 square feet.
The socially distanced event, open to everyone, will feature a proclamation of the township’s 2021 Arbor Day, along with a talk about four other heritage trees—all centuries-old native oaks. These are relics of the forests that used to cover much of West Goshen before farmers like Bane settled the area. The public will be invited to nominate other historic trees in the township.
Directions and parking: Set your GPS for 908 Old Fern Hill Road, West Chester (Google Maps link) Park at Wiggins Shredding.
For more information on the history of the beech, click here.