Efforts underway to save historic tree in St. Elmo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Arborists in St. Elmo are working to save a tree older than the neighborhood around it.
A tree on Alabama Avenue is estimated to be around three hundred years old.

Arborist Cameron Audette, who owns Boniface Arbor Works, say it is in poor health in part due to its size and interactions with the historic Victorian homes in the area.

Instead of cutting it down, they are looking to rehabilitate that tree by essentially putting it on a nutrition plan.

A large tree estimated to be roughly 300 years old undergoing restorative efforts in St. Elmo.

He says that trees like this are a part of our history.

“Trees like this are really important for historic neighborhoods. It adds character to the neighborhood. It provides a sort of pride for the neighborhood, and in a historic place like this Victorian era home, we want to protect the integrity of the trees so that we can protect the integrity of the houses here,” said Audette.

They will be working throughout the week to complete the restoration of that tree.