The American Butternut was the first tree species nominated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as candidate for the Endangered Species List. In 1967, foresters noticed a canker caused by a fungus infecting butternut trees. This disease spread rapidly throughout its entire range in the eastern U.S. Many surviving trees are weakened and reproducing poorly. The National Forest Service and many states have restricted cutting of butternuts to preserve remaining specimens.

This spectacular and quite healthy specimen grew beside a landmark historic house in south Poughkeepsie for many decades until 1999, when the owner died with no heirs. The property was then bought by a developer, who intended to cut all the trees down and build six houses.

Neighborhood residents rallied and protested, and contacted Lou Sebesta, Urban Forester for the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, who measured the tree to discover it is the new New York Champion. After some earnest discussions and testimony to the City Planning Board, the developer relented and agreed to spare the tree. But his other new houses would still prune away 20-25% of the tree's root system, an unacceptable amount of injury.

Local residents formed a local chapter of the New York Champion Tree Project and began raising money to purchase the tree and its entire property. With two schools two blocks away, residents intend to create an environmental education facility in their community.

Aided by Jerry Henkin of the Northern Nut Growers Association, cuttings from the tree were sent to several organizations for cloning. The tree was pruned and inspected and found to be free of canker. Nuts from the tree were sent to the NYSDEC Nusery in Saratoga Springs to grow a new generation of seedling trees. Local residents also assumed responsibility for maintaining the tree's property.

In April 2003, their earnest efforts reached realization. With grants from the city, county and state, the Forbus Butternut Association paid off the short-term loans that had financed the purchase, and acquired full title and possession of the tree and land, and the city gained a new half-acre park.

Forbus Butternut Assoc. of Poughkeepsie P.O. Box 5058 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 845-454-2349 President Gary Privratsky	for more on this New York Champion and the neighbors trying to save it Neighbors fight for nut tree A Champion for Open Space Save Our State Champion Group has 60 days to buy land Butternut Loan Approved Battle of the Butternut

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TERRA: The Earth Restoration and Reforestation Alliance — www.championtrees.org — updated 8/14/2003