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"Norwich Flood Tree" |
| ID: |
225578 |
| Scientific Name: |
Acer saccharum |
| Common Name: |
Sugar Maple |
| Town: |
Norwich |
| Points: |
186 |
| Circumference: |
98.5 in |
| Height: |
72 ft |
| Average Spread: |
60 ft |
| Nominated by: |
Roberta Vincent (Sep 25, 2013) |
| Measured by: |
Glenn Dreyer (Oct 11, 2013) |
| Remarks: |
On March 6, 1963 the earthen dam at Spaulding Pond, Mohegan Park, Norwich, CT burst, flooding the city and leading to 6 deaths and $6 million in damage. The Moody family and Mr. Tony Orsini were caught in the flood, and after their vehicle was overturned, sought refuge on a building roof, then jumped into this sugar maple shortly before the roof washed away. Tom Moody, 4 years old at the time, has written a book about it called "A Swift and Deadly Maelstrom."
The Tree of Life - a poem
On that fateful night, March 6, 1963
I was a mere sapling, bracing winter
With a slender trunk, tender branches
Rooted in the soil on 299 Franklin Street
The Spaulding Pond Dam had just burst
Frigid flood waters were approaching
That night my destiny was sealed
Miraculously, becoming a "Tree of Life"
The Moody car lay overturned;
With the six of them
As the survivors climbed onto a roof
No longer able to hold Tom Sr.’s grasp
His beloved wife Honey slipped away
"She's gone", Tony murmured
As he grabbed Jimmy by the hand
Shawn, zipped safely under his jacket
Getting to safety was their immediate plan
I was spotted off in the distance
The roof and my height were the same
As they duck walked towards me,
Straddling the roofs’ peak
Tom Sr. held on to Tommy’s hand
After climbing into the V of my trunk
The roof suddenly collapsed; it was gone
They continued to cry out for help
Hoping someone would hear their sounds
The children were frightened, cold and wet
It was painful, as I heard Jimmy’s cries
I sheltered them for over an hour
Until the flood waters finally subsided
Prayers answered, they were rescued,
Tony would eventually return safely home
Tom Sr.’s heart filled with grief
Remained at the hospital with his three sons
I have aged, but still permanently rooted
In the soil on Franklin Street
50 years ago; a tragic and now historic moment
Having earned the honor of a "Notable Tree"
Authored by Roberta J. Vincent; October 9, 2013 |
| Notes: |
This is a historic tree.
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