2 min read
Auburn Public Works employee Bill LaMontagne, left, looks at the stump of a 100-year-old American sycamore tree as Auburn city arborist Noel Skelton, middle, talks with the homeowner last Thursday morning on Pulsifer Street in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

AUBURN — Two giant trees stood tall over the past century on Pulsifer Street in Auburn.

At more than 100 feet tall, the pair of American sycamore trees dwarf most others in the area, with gigantic leaves.

But as sycamore trees go, they are still young, as the species often live to be 500 to 600 years old.

Nevertheless, they have provided an impressive view. Unfortunately, one was taken down last year.

Auburn Public Works crews and arborists begin the process last fall of cutting down a giant American sycamore tree on Pulsifer Street in Auburn. (City of Auburn)

Sycamores were once a common site in southern Maine, but there is no known native population at this time. Sycamores make excellent city trees when properly located, as they are resilient to various soil and air pollutants. They grow large and strong — and relatively quickly — and have a unique appearance.

Last fall, the Arborist crew from Auburn Public Works took one of the trees down because of concerns of property damage. They were back last week to begin grinding the stump and repairing the damage to the sidewalk, curb and street.

For now, its sister is safe.

A bowl created by craftsman Tom Raymond and made from an American sycamore tree that was cut down on Pulsifer Street last fall is on display on the second floor of Auburn City Hall. (City of Auburn)

After the first tree came down, local craftsman Tom Raymond took a bit of the wood and created an exquisite bowl, which he donated to the city as a commemorative piece. It is the 1,741st bowl he has created in his lifetime of art, he said, and it is on display on the second floor of Auburn City Hall.

The tree that came down will still live on, and not just in art form.

Before the removal of the sycamore tree, the public works crew collected dozens of seed pods to propagate. This will provide many new trees to be used in Auburn’s parks and city streets for years to come.

Auburn city arborist Noel Skelton, left, talks with a Pulsifer Street home owner last Thursday morning about the removal of the stump from a 100-year-old American sycamore tree in front of her house that was removed last fall. Its sister tree can be seen in the background. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

A lifelong resident of Lewiston, Russ stumbled into photography as a college student working toward a career in psychology. His great-grandfather Louis B. Costello was the publisher of the Lewiston Daily...

Join the Conversation

Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe. Questions? Please see our FAQs.