Hudson Valley Musing

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If this tree did it, so can you!

I love to take a walk now and then on the grounds of Bard college.  One of my favorite spots is the manicured lawn and gardens of the Levy Economic Institute.  Blithewood was another lovely Hudson Valley Mansion with great views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.

 

Blithewood - Levy Institute at Bard Colleges

This post however is not about this ideal setting, but rather about a tree that seems so out of place but you can't help but love it.

From the plaque erected in front of the tree it is believed that this tree has been around 350 years and is most likely the oldest tree on the campus.

Take a look and you will see just what I mean.

Plaque of oldest tree at Bard

With the economic downturn many might feel as if they are living through a drought , a fire, or even being struck by lightening however like this tree it is possible to be a survivor especially with some help from friends.

When I took a closer look at the tree, I was amazed that it was still standing but I also noticed some reinforcements in the form of screws and some concrete was applied.  Yes people around saw how much this tree wanted to live so a helping hand was extended.

Tree at Bard College

Trunk of oldest tree at Bard College

Trunk of tree at Bard

Tree on Bard Campus

 

 

Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com

www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com

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Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved-If this tree did it, so can you

 

Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com

www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com

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Comments

Great photos and a great message also. We all need to learn to survive with less and with a better attitude!

Posted by John Guiney e-PRO, CBR (Keller Williams Realty) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer,  This was a very good post.  Thank you for sharing the story of this old tree.

Posted by Jimmy McCall "The Ex-Mortgage Consultant" (TheHappyCottage.com) almost 4 years ago

Wow that really is amazing! Mother Nature is awesome!!!

Your Friend in Charlottesville!

Posted by Charlottesville Real Estate www.CharlottesvilleSolutions.com (Charles McDonald 434-515-1585) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, interesting story, it reminds me of the saying "God helps those who help themselves". I guess it also applies to trees.

Posted by Broad & Bailey Realty LLC almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, I like the way you applied the story of the tree to us REALTORS.  With a little help from our friends, we will be survivors!

Posted by Brian Schulman - Your Lancaster County, PA Real Estate Expert (Coldwell Banker Select Professionals, Lancaster PA) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer- Wow this is amazing 350 years old. I love the way you related it to lifer- You are right we can all survive- with the help of determination and friends- I have to get to Bard Collage and see this for myself- Thanks

Posted by Barbara Carter homes in New Paltz NY Ulster County Real Estate Professional (John J. Lease Realtors) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer - Just like some people need knee and hip replacements (like I do), this tree is held togetehr with screws an concrete! Now that's a good tree surgeon!

Posted by Carol Culkin, Dutchess County (Century 21 Alliance Realty Group ) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer:  I like this post's message.  And the tree looks like it has a lot of character.  One of the more depressing things I've heard from our local government is that they want to clear Manassas Battlefield Park, and make it look like it might have during the Civil War.  Are they kidding?  Can you imagine the lovely trees that have grown in those 200+ years?  I think it's a shame that anyone would consider it.

Posted by Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA (Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA) almost 4 years ago

John - You are so right, many are now learning to adjust to tougher economic times, having a good attitude will be helpful with the transition.  Glad you appreciated the shots.

Jimmy - Thank you.

Charles - It is such a fascinating old tree.

Peter - I think we all like people who keep going even under adverse condition.  I could really appreciate this old tree and it's spunk.

 

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer that tree is a true survivor, and we all could take a lesson in life from it.

Posted by George Souto NMLS# 65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages Connecticut almost 4 years ago

Brian - That is true with a helping hand we can get through a rough period.

Barb - You would  enjoy your trip to Bard.  Have you seen the Fisher Center?

Carol - I don't want to think about the knee and hip stuff, that is the part of growing older that will not appeal to me.

Chris - I can't imagine destroying old trees.

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer ... thanks for sharing this ... it's amazing a tree that size can sustain itself with so little.

Posted by Southport NC Real Estate - Vicki Burton- Buyer's Agent (Southport Realty-Southport, North Carolina) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, sounds inspirational to me...I too will survive these times...I keep reminding myself of this!!

Posted by Patrice Estess (PB APPRAISALS) almost 4 years ago

Vicki- At first when you see this on a well manicured lawn your first thought is why is it there?   When you get closer you are filled with admiration.

Patrice - We all have to keep going, maintaining a positive attitude is key.

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, that tree is just beckoning the parents of kids in college to look into investment opportunities there. Great photos.

Posted by Laurie Mindnich at Options Realty almost 4 years ago

Laurie - The college would love that.

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, I love the lawn Great pictures. I sold a house once and it had a  similar tree close to the house . I was scared it might fall over the roof and made sure I pointed it out to the buyers. They are landscapers and they bought the house. They have cut it down .

Posted by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI BUCKS County & Philadelphia, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors) almost 4 years ago

HI JENNIFER!

Those are great pics, especially of the tree!  Thanks for sharing.

Have a fab day!

Posted by YVETTE SMITH REALTOR IN WILLIAMSBURG VA WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA HOMES FOR SALE (LONG & FOSTER) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, That tree is so beautiful, I am so glad they're giving it a helping hand to survive.  I would hate to lose that beautiful site (and I can't believe it survived through all that!).

Posted by Laura Cerrano and Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City/Feng Shui Manhattan ) almost 4 years ago

Hey jennifer, Great story and inspiration in this economy.  Thanks for sharing.

Posted by Paddy Pizappi PineBush & Hudson Valley NY Real Estate (RJ Smith Realty Real Estate Solutions) almost 4 years ago

Gita - I don't think anyone would like to see this tree go it is such an good example of a survivor.

Yvette -My pleasure.

Carole - It has spunk! and that is why I thought there was a lesson to learn.

Paddy - You are welcome.

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 4 years ago

Jennifer, how cool is that! You have gotten me thinking here lately about those things in a community that make it a community, but would otherwise not make it into a history book. Surely this testament to being "well rooted" shows what it takes to have a long lasting impact.

Posted by Birmingham Alabama Real Estate, Stephen Wolfe (LivingInBirmingham.com) almost 4 years ago

Stephen - Yes there is so much to discover.  In this case this tree will not last for ever but it sure provided a great story and lesson.

Posted by Jennifer Fivelsdal Rhinebeck Real Estate (Serving Dutchess| Columbia|Ulster Ctys (LIC. R.E. Broker JFIVE Home Realty LLC ) almost 4 years ago

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing! I was born in the Catskills - haven't been there in YEARS!

Posted by Bill's Blog - Florida Realty Professional - AHWD (Charles Rutenberg Realty) almost 4 years ago

What an inspiration.  Reminds me a bit of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Posted by Karen Rice | Lake Wallenpaupack Homes, WLE Hideout Masthope Hemlock Farms Homes (WEICHERT, REALTORS® Paupack Group ) over 3 years ago

Jennifer, those are amazing pictures along with such an inspirational story. Nature is so wonderous.

Posted by Tanya V Orlando Home Staging Orlando FL Home Staging over 3 years ago

That tree reminds me of the Little Engine that Could! I think I can, I think I can!!!

Posted by Caren Wallace-Portage Lakes Real Estate Agent (Stouffer Realty, Akron, Ohio) over 3 years ago

How interesting and I love the comparison with you made with the economic turn down.  Trees do not worry, they just live in the moment and that is a good lesson for us, too.  Live in the moment (with still making plans for the future and being productive) and live each day to it's fullest.   Great inspirational post!

Posted by Debra Kukulski-CDPE;GRI;ABR;RECS;e-PRO Real Estate Expert Northern Illinois (Re/Max Unlimited Northwest) over 3 years ago

Jennifer, glad that folks saw the need and helped instead of destroying 350 years of life.  This is SOME tree!

Posted by Gena Riede, Real Estate Broker Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699 (Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792) over 3 years ago

Jennifer, That is a truly amazing tree! Merry Christmas on the eve...

Posted by Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) over 3 years ago

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