The King - An American Elm Tree

When this tree was sketched, in September of 1968, it was considered to be one of the tallest American Elms in America. It was located on a property in Shelborn Falls, along the Mohawk trail, next to the Mohawk River. The family who owns the property can trace ownership back to the 1600's when the Dutch were exploring and settling the river valleys of New England and New Jersey. Unfortunately the tree became infected with Dutch Elm disease and was to be cut down after my drawing was finished. The pine trees growing along the fence beyond the tree are twenty to thirty feet tall. The tree is called the King and has been a part of the owner's family history for several generations. The death of the tree has come to represent a pivotal point in the family's history. "Twenty years before the King died" or "five years after the King died" have become time references when historical events, relating to the family, are described. While creating the original drawing, I spent two weeks as the guest of the family. It was like living in the colonial past. The original house, built by the Dutch, was still being used as well as furniture and antiques from that time. It was an experience in living history, to walk on the original floors and to sit next to wall treatments of wood paneling, on furniture dating back to the early 1600's. William R. Johnston Artist

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