The Catalpa Trees at Chatham Manor

Did you know that our Gardener, Scott Blake, has successfully propagated the Catalpa trees that are on the riverside of Chatham? According to the National Park Service, these trees were planted between 1810-1820. Unfortunately these “witness trees” are dying and are currently being held up by steel rods. The normal life span of a catalpa tree is about 70 years, and these are at least 200. It is believed that Walt Whitman wrote a poem about them during his visit. Thanks to Scott, we are able to preserve a piece of history at Chatham. He has 6 that are mature enough to plant, and many more at various stages of growth. Hopefully these magnificent trees will last many more years at Chatham.