Ranger Su, Susan MH Lewenz, the community relations ranger at Rockefeller State Park Preserve, has posted a eulogy of Daphne, the Rockwood Park “Lady Tree” who was felled with recently by a powerful wind storm. It includes some information about her life, and references to Kendal’s name for her. She also has included a photo and a sketch of Daphne by our own Linda Herring.
A EULOGY FOR OUR GRAND DAME
On Monday March 11, 2024, sometime in the afternoon our Rockwood "Grand Dame" succumbed to sustained winds of over 48 mph. She withstood many challenges in her long life, but she could stand no more and her magnificent form fell.
I speak of the one of the most beautiful and largest trees in the Preserve. She lived her life providing a shady respite to visitors who enjoyed a spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades shielded beneath her boughs.
The Grand Dame was a giant red oak. Our Park Manager Peter Iskenderian believes she may have been over 300 years old.
“I feel like I lost an old friend,” said Melissa Rinzler, who watches over all the residents of Rockwood as part of the Preserve's Guardian program.
"I loved seeing her on my walks, and especially the image of the lady" said Linda Parker, Office Manager of Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
Several ladies from Kendall on Hudson told me the tree had been known by many as “Daphne” because of its likeness to the Daphne of the famous “Apollo and Daphne” sculpture which many saw in her trunk.
The great lady’s broken form will take many days to clear. Our team is hard at work respectfully clearing her remains from the trail.
Feel free to give them a wave as you pass, but please keep a good distance for your own safety.
More pictures to come of the massive removal and cleanup project. And, of course, the ultimate planting of a new red oak which we hope will grow up to be, one day, the new Grand Dame.
Rest in Peace, Grand Dame. You are gone but not forgotten. And, like all our fallen trees, you will continue to nourish and provide shelter for Preserve residents for many years to come.
And a Post Script: “Thanks to Kendal Resident, Carolyn Reiss for help with this post.”
Linda Mahoney Herring’s memorial to Daphne, including her portrait and a little piece of her rescued from where she met her demise:
