Sad News for the Ginkgo Trees

I received the following note from Mary Roberts:
February 8, 2008

Dear Martin House Volunteer,

Because you are a member of the Martin House “family,” I wanted you to know about a sad, but necessary, decision that has been made.

Recent events—both natural and manmade—have forced the issue of the ultimate disposition of the two mature ginkgo trees (ginkgo biloba) located just south of the Martin House porte cochere, flanking the driveway.

One of these trees was already identified as a problematic landscape feature during Phase II of the Martin House restoration, when it was discovered that a very large root from the tree had grown through the foundation on the south side of the house. This was an obvious indication that the tree was planted too close to the foundation to allow for maturation of its root system in a way that would not threaten the built environment.

The disastrous, early season snowstorm of October 13, 2006, caused significant damage to both trees (limb breakage), leaving them in a weakened state.

The scope of work in the Phase IV restoration of the Martin House site includes replacement of the historic driveway and sidewalks on the south side of the Martin House. In order to complete this approved restoration work, it was determined by the contractor that the reinstallation of the driveway and sidewalk leading to the house from the drive, along with related curbs and drainage, will require cutting the roots of the trees, which, in their estimation, would lead to the death of the trees. This work brings the issue of the trees’ condition and disposition to the fore.

To assess the situation, the MHRC and Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects consulted experts, including two highly-regarded arborists and a respected landscape architect. These professionals were generally in agreement in their evaluations of the trees’ condition and prospects, and their findings have been summarized as follows:

• The trees have been subject to many years of wild growth, with little or no proactive maintenance.
• This resulted in problematic features such as codependent stems becoming dual trunks in the mature trees, causing a major weakness at the crotch.
• The trees were planted too close to the foundation of the house (6’ as opposed to the ideal 20’ to 30’ from the foundation). This combined with the decade-long intrusion of impervious landscape elements such as blacktop has compromised the natural root development—and therefore overall health—of the trees.
• The October 2006 storm caused further damage to the already weakened trees.
• The work required to complete site work elements in this area in Phase IV will cause irreparable harm to the trees’ root systems and will ultimately kill both trees.
• Proceeding with the restoration work with the trees in place (in the hope that they might somehow survive) would increase the risk of limbs breaking and causing injury to visitors or damage to property.

After careful consideration of all the available evidence, including the sentimental value of the two ginkgo trees, all parties (the MHRC, HHL Architects and the State Historic Preservation Office) concur that the best and only responsible course of action is to remove both trees from the site.

The entire landscape of the historic complex will be restored to its year of significance (to be determined) following the completion of a Cultural Landscape Report; this restoration will include replacement of all plant species—such as the ginkgos—deemed historically appropriate by the report.

We recognize the unfortunate aspects of losing any mature trees from the Martin House site, but feel that removal of both ginkgos is acceptable and necessary because the completion of restoration of the built environment of the Martin House—impossible without this removal—is more central to the critical path of the MHRC’s mission than the conservation of these landscape elements at this juncture.

Wright’s general regard for trees as organic elements of nature subject to time, the elements and architecture also supports the removal—and later replanting—of these trees that are in marginal health and threaten the buildings they are meant to complement. The ages of the trees will be documented when they are removed, and their removal is scheduled within the week.

Please know that this decision was not lightly made and that we respect all things related to Wright’s work and nature. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration. I welcome any response.

Sincerely,

Mary F. Roberts
Executive Director

Happy New Year -- The Driveway Is Finished!

On this last day of 2007 the new driveway at the north end is finished, and the workers have until the end of January 2008 to clean up the site and move on. It's unbelievable to the neighbors that the crew was able to pour the concrete in December, considering how bad the weather was. We saw the crew shoveling snow (with hand shovels) off the prepared bed in order to get the concrete poured. Good thing concrete heats up as it cures! The two photos show the new driveway. The crews working on the south side of the Martin House are still working almost daily, even in the cold and snow.

Happy New Year -- just imagine what excitement is in store for us at the Martin House Complex in 2008!

How Many Visitors in 2007?

We received a letter this week that told us the House had 20,000 visitors this year -- that's up from 18,000 last year. The Shopping Gala, held the first weekend of December, was very successful. I worked in the gift shop for a few hours, and people were buying everything in sight.


We are seriously considering putting in a driveway, which would entail our destroying our garden space next to the house. Since we have no back yard -- only this side yard -- we would have no more lawn or gardens. But, at least, we would be able to park near our house on weekends when we have groceries, etc. to carry. We'll probably wait until the tour entrance/exit moves to the Jewett Parkway entrance before we make a final decision. Maybe the parking situation will ease because more tourists will park on Jewett rather than on Summit. Anyone know a good architect to help us design a driveway and gardens that will look great????

Preparing for the Holiday Rush

We didn't see much progress on the construction this week, and the House was not open for tours on Thanksgiving Day, so it was quiet. But you can tell that it's a holiday weekend -- there are cars from all over the US here today. So far -- Virginia, District of Columbia, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

The Wisteria Shop, now located in the Carriage House, is being decorated for holiday shopping. They have published a new brochure highlighting their new line of gift packages -- very cool. The packages are boxed in archival boxes with metal edges. Check them out at The Wright Gifts.

North Lot Progress and An Upcoming Announcement

Today's pictures are of the great progress on the north lot. All the pallets of tiles and bricks that were there last week have been moved, and the ground has been leveled. Obviously the driveway to the garage is going in. What a difference this will make for the neighbors -- no more mud and broken, blocked-off sidewalks! The south facade is completely changed, what with the wall being moved back into its original spot, and the brick retaining walls being almost finished. What surprises me is how the house seems to be so much closer to the sidewalk than it used to. It is so different from looking at the old photos of the complex. Just imagine how it will be when the construction fence comes down and you can really feel a part of the house and gardens.

I found out today about an exciting event being planned for next summer, to come right down our block. Stay tuned for more information and photos -- even the Martin House folks don't know about this one yet, I'll bet.

So far today (Saturday) we've had visitors from New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Ontario. I also saw a car with Arizona plates around the corner, but I don't know if they were visiting the House or not.

Cooper's Hawk, Not Peregrine Falcon

Correction -- the bird I saw was a Cooper's hawk, not a peregrine falcon. A neighbor has some amazing videos of this hawk, which has set up shop in a pine tree down the street for the last four years. So, even though the construction continues unabated, wildlife still flourishes all around us!

Construction Updates and News on a Visitor to the Neighborhood

After drilling all the geothermal wells, construction workers are now digging huge trenches and laying in some kind of flexible dark-colored pipe. Maybe they're connecting the wells and running them to the powerplant in the house. New shipments of roof tile and bricks were received this week. I'm uploading two photos -- one of the new materials, and one of the construction workers "in the trenches." It's funny how we focus on the mud and mess, and forget sometimes to just stare at the structures and enjoy their serenity.
As I approached the northeast corner of Jewett Parkway and Summit Avenue this morning, coming from the Park, I noticed the bird feeder just inside the bushes at the corner was swarming with sparrows. All of a sudden, from behind me over my right shoulder, a peregrine falcon swooped down and dive-bombed the bird feeder. The entire corner exploded with seemingly hundreds of sparrows flying away in fright. I couldn't believe how that bird buzzed that feeder. The falcon failed to grab any of the smaller birds, and went on to land high atop a tree just to the east. There he sat, eyeing that feeder. I've seen red-tail hawks in the Park, but never saw a falcon swooping like that in our neighborhood before. Keep an eye out for it -- it's gorgeous!