Here’s an up close look at the tiny worms that are killing beech trees
A microscopic worm known as a foliar nematode is sickening beech trees across the Northeast. The disease spread to Rhode Island five years ago.
As the weather warms up in preparation for a New England summer, many people are heading back outdoors to adore Rhode Island’s nature, from flowers to mountains to trees.
While the Ocean State has plenty of fantastic trees to look at this time of year, many of the state’s trees are full of history as well as beauty. In fact, the oldest tree in Rhode Island dates back to around the time the country was formed. At over 200 years old, the Betsey Williams Sycamore in Providence’s Roger Williams Park is not only the state’s oldest tree, but also its most famous.
Here’s the story of Rhode Island’s oldest tree, as well as where you can see the landmark today.
History of the Betsey Williams Sycamore
The Betsey Williams Sycamore was first planted outside of a house now known as the Betsey Williams cottage, where the great-great-great-granddaughter of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams was born in 1790.
While the exact year of the sycamore tree’s origins are unclear, many scholars believe the tree was planted after the house was built in 1773, making it over 250 years old. In his podcast “This Old Tree,” consulting arborist Doug Still estimates the tree dates back to 1782, making it 243 years old.
The tree stayed in Rhode Island’s founding family for many years, providing shade and play space for Williams as she grew up with her sister Rhoda Williams. Unmarried, the sisters lived together in the cottage, where they wove cloth for income and frequently invited neighbors to dine and dance with them.
When Betsey Williams died in 1871, she left the cottage and 102 acres of surrounding farmland to the city of Providence, on one condition – the city create a park, with a statue inside, dedicated to her famous ancestor. Roger Williams Park Zoo officially opened later that year, and a statue of Roger Williams was erected nearby the cottage in 1877.
Today, the Betsey Williams Sycamore Tree still stands at 80 feet tall outside the newly renovated Betsey Williams Cottage, which frequently hosts open houses to explore the cottage’s history.
How to see the Betsey Williams Sycamore
The Betsey Williams Sycamore can be found next to the restored Betsey Williams Cottage, located at 1000 Elmwood Ave. inside Roger Williams Park. The park is always free and open to visitors from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.