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Emergency removal of storm damaged trees and dying oak tree next door
Lincoln Home National Historic Site » Emergency removal of storm damaged trees and dying oak tree next door
On 6-11-2026, a strong thunderstorm with high winds came through downtown Springfield, toppling a Linden tree in front of the Dean House (HS-13) that was believed to be a witness tree from the 1850s. A second tree, a London Plane/Sycamore, in front of the Lyon/Rosenwald house (HS-05) has been a concern for many years due to the large opening, visible at the base of the branches about 20' up, presumably signifying a hollow trunk. A large oak in the back of the Lyon/Rosenwald is also dying and is a potential hazard to the historic house and the planned exhibit area in the back yard. Each tree is too large for the park to be able to safely remove them, requiring the use of a contractor.
The Linden has over 30 shoots around the base that will be allowed to continue to grow and eventually thinned out to 2-3 to allow a daughter tree to grow in place. The Sycamore will be replaced with a native street-appropriate tree, possibly from the list provided recently from MWAC Landscape Architect Leah Edwards. The oak is too close to three historic structures and will not be replaced. It was planted in 1971 or 1972 and is not historic. The current trees will be cut to the ground by the contractor. Park staff will grind the stumps to approximately 18" below ground, and clean fill dirt and grass seed will be used. The new trees will be planted in the same approximate location in a couple of years to allow for the original stumps to disintegrate.
The trees are visible from the Lincoln Home front door. The Dean House contains an exhibit on the first floor and interpretive office space on the second floor. The Lyon/Rosenwald is currently unoccupied, but the backyard is in the planning stages for an outdoor exhibit space.
All three trees are within 30 feet of each other. It is hoped that the contractor will be able to place all equipment in the same location to speed the process of removing the trees and limiting the disturbance to the visitors.
The Linden has over 30 shoots around the base that will be allowed to continue to grow and eventually thinned out to 2-3 to allow a daughter tree to grow in place. The Sycamore will be replaced with a native street-appropriate tree, possibly from the list provided recently from MWAC Landscape Architect Leah Edwards. The oak is too close to three historic structures and will not be replaced. It was planted in 1971 or 1972 and is not historic. The current trees will be cut to the ground by the contractor. Park staff will grind the stumps to approximately 18" below ground, and clean fill dirt and grass seed will be used. The new trees will be planted in the same approximate location in a couple of years to allow for the original stumps to disintegrate.
The trees are visible from the Lincoln Home front door. The Dean House contains an exhibit on the first floor and interpretive office space on the second floor. The Lyon/Rosenwald is currently unoccupied, but the backyard is in the planning stages for an outdoor exhibit space.
All three trees are within 30 feet of each other. It is hoped that the contractor will be able to place all equipment in the same location to speed the process of removing the trees and limiting the disturbance to the visitors.