The Bicentennial Tree
In 1903 the teacher at the Mountain School in East Raymond went
to California and returned with a gift for all the students in the school. Each
student was presented with a catalpa seedling that was taken home to be planted.
The catalpa flowers in early July here in Raymond. It is covered with white
flowers that fill the air with a sweet fragrance. The tree in turn grows 2-foot
long seedpods that resemble string beans. The pods cling to the tree throughout
the winter and shed their feathery seeds in early spring.
Amy Strout Segars set her tree out in her front yard in the year of Raymond’s
centennial, 1903. That tree is now a great example of its type. It measures more
than 6 feet at the base, is over 50 ft. high and has a spread of over 50
feet. There is speculation that it may be the record holder for its’
type in Maine.
In the 1950’s there were seven left in the neighborhood. They could be found at the homes of Nancy and Bob Yates, Ivan and Rita Gerry, Sherman Plummer, Marolyn Gerry and Frank and Betty McDermott. Today there are only 4 left. Ten years ago, after many years of trying, Betty McDermott figured how to get the seeds of their catalpa (the one that Amy planted) to germinate. The McDermotts are donating a 4-year old tree that will be planted at the Jordan-Small Middle School as our Bicentennial Tree. A dedication and planting ceremony will be held in mid-May. Please watch for announcements in the local papers and on the Town’s website.
