Winslow Tree Walk is Friday
Published 1:27 pm Thursday, April 24, 2014
Dr. Olaf Ribeiro, plant pathologist and arborist will lead a walking tour of the historical and champion trees of Winslow on Friday, April 25.
In the 1890s Bainbridge Island pioneer and well-known horticulturist Robert Cave brought seedlings on sailing ships around Cape Horn from the Kew Gardens in Britain.
The tiny trees were planted by Cave, who did a whole landscape plan of trees for the town of Winslow. Only five of the original seedlings remain.
Three of those historical trees grace the grounds of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. “Three Tree Park” is maintained by museum volunteers.
The large tree in the center of the park is a red oak (Quercus rubra). At 88-feet high, the circumference is 12 foot, 8 inches and the tree has a spread of 110 feet. In the fall it is a brilliant red.
A sycamore tree (Plantanus acerifolia x Plantanus occidentalis) is situated at the southeast corner by Ericksen Avenue and has a very unique trunk distinguished by its gnarled appearance. This is the only sycamore tree left in the downtown area and probably the biggest one of its size on the island.
The elm (Ulmus americana) tree at the entrance to the driveway from Ericksen Avenue is the last remaining elm in the downtown area.
Reservations for the Winslow Tree Walk may be made by contacting the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, 215 Ericksen Ave., 206-842-2773.
